Visitation:
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20 at Holland,
Barry & Bennett Funeral Home.
Service:
11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home
Funeral home: Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral
Home
Obituary
Brian Douglas Clark of Lincoln
passed into the arms of Jesus on Monday, March 15,
2021, surrounded by family at St. John’s Hospital in
Springfield.
Brian was born August 24, 1974 in Lincoln, the son
of Norm Clark and Gail (Appel) Clark Guzzardo.
He was a 1992 graduate of Lincoln Community High
School where he avidly enjoyed playing football,
weight lifting and wrestling. One of his favorite
things throughout his youth was 3-wheeling with his
dad, uncles and cousins.
Brian worked for his dad all through junior high and
high school and commanded the ground operations of
Norm Clark Flying Service, Inc. with incredible
skill during that season of life. He drove a semi
for Clark Transportation of Lincoln for several
years after high school and then apprenticed to
Local #965 out of Springfield where he became an
Operating Engineer for the rest of his career.
Brian’s passion for anything aviation-related
started at a very young age and was evidenced by
things that he treasured and his later love of
flying RC planes. He loved to tell stories (with
more detail than many had patience for) and was
known for much hilarious commentary and one-liners.
His ability to pull up a quote, scene or line from a
movie and make an analogy to a situation was often
entertaining.
He had a tremendous love of helping others who were
struggling in life and was always known for his
gruff exterior that housed a very tender teddy bear
heart.
His greatest pride in life was in his two boys Cole
and Remington who he loved with all his being. Brian
entered their life as Protector and Guardian Angel
when they were at a very young age. He became their
official Foster Parent many years ago, and finally
on March 9, 2021 (Cole’s Birthday) was given the
privilege of signing all the papers to complete
their adoption and to give them his name,
culminating a long-awaited process that he had
worked on for years. It was a very happy day for his
entire family who so-love these little guys, but
especially for Brian. |
Brian was baptized by his dad on
April 17, 1987 at Lincoln Christian Church where he
was a member, and his faith carried him through many
crises in life. He loved the stories of the Bible
and having daily discussions about them with his
boys and how God had carried him through so many
life situations.
Brian was preceded in death by his father Norm Clark
and grandparents Leon Appel, Byron Clark and Doris
Clark Dancy, his aunts Gloria and Rhonda, and
much-loved cousins Clint and Betsy.
He is survived by his boys Cole Sarver Clark (age
12) and Remington Sarver Clark (age 7) of Lincoln,
Danyelle Sarver of Springfield who calls Brian her
Guardian Angel and father-figure, mother Gail Clark
Guzzardo (John) of Lincoln, sister Krista Clark
McBeath (Robert) of Bloomington, niece Jillian
McBeath, maternal grandmother VevaAppel, paternal
grandfather Mac Dancy, the finest cousins the world
has to offer (many like siblings), and an incredible
network of aunts and uncles who greatly shaped and
influenced his life.
Services for Brian will be at 11:00 am Saturday,
March 20 at Holland, Barry & Bennett Funeral Home.
Visitation is from 9:30 to 11:00 prior to the
Service. (Masks Required) In honor of Brian, casual
attire is suggested. Camo was his favorite “color”.
If you loved Brian and wish to make a memorial, a
custodial fund is being set up for sons Cole and
Remington who have lost their hero and can be made
online via
https://gofund.me/
cbba53b8 or
by check made out to Krista McBeath. It is the most
fitting tribute to these boys who made Brian the
father he always wanted to be.
A private family burial will be held at a later
date.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the
family of Brian Douglas Clark
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