Eldon J. Clark

This obituary was written by Eldon before he died. 

Eldon J. Clark, 89, went the way of all living and died, April 2, 2024, at his country home in Moses Lake, Wash. 

It is appointed unto man once to die and he did. He did not go like a quarry slave, chained to his dungeon. He found grace in the sight of the Lord and freedom from the fear of death. He often said, “This time on earth is only a time to prepare for eternity,” and he has done that. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you and where I am there you will be also,” so with an untroubled heart that is where he is now. 

He was anxious to see his oldest son who is in heaven and will have his new body, as well as so many of his family who have already gone on before. He would say there will be tears of parting here, but there will be tears of joy over there.

He said his two greatest accomplishments were No. 1 to follow his heart and at the age of 17 he gave his heart to Jesus. He never regretted that. He felt he had done everything he ever wanted to do, from preaching, truck driving, cattle ranching, farming, boating with family, and hunting with his buddy, Judge Tom Felton. How he loved his friends. 

He said not long ago, “I was really feeling quite proud of myself and so I told the Lord that, and I said it was just like the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Eldon, you really didn’t do all those things. I had to help you every step of the way. Remember all those foolish things you did? Some of them were even stupid and I had to bail you out every time.’” Then he realized this was true. Everything he did was because of God’s help. God made those sermons sound good and even helpful. He tells of hearing a man leaving a funeral service saying, “Well, if you didn’t know how to get to heaven, you do now.” 

He loved to work and in his later years, he farmed. But he said of those years, “I was possibly the poorest farmer that ever lived. I had fun but realized that retirement was only possible because God looked out for me.” He was blessed.

The No. 2 thing was his wife, Judy Cuddy, just a kid when they got married and certainly blessed by God. He would say “I have never doubted this was the greatest earthly blessing God ever gave me,” and he passed that on to his three boys. He would say, “Your mother is the best thing I ever gave you boys.” 

This blessing has now passed on to his grandchildren and now 12 great-grandchildren. Eldon and Judy were married 63 years. 

Their oldest son, Nathan, with Down syndrome, died in 2016 at age 54. He was perhaps our greatest blessing. God placed him in our keeping.

Ted is next and his wife, Priscilla. They have three boys and two girls, all of them missionaries in Mexico.

Mike, his third and youngest son, and wife Amanda live in Illinois. Mike works for Rivian Automotive, Inc. Mike has two daughters, Brenna and Kelli. So Eldon had seven grandchildren, all of whom are serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Eldon Clark was born Nov. 21, 1934, in Burwell, Neb., to Floyd and Lizzie Clark. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as sisters, Donna, Norma and Twila and his son, Nathan. 

He is survived by sisters, Fern Tierney of Hobe Sound, Fla., and Nyla Rudai of Nampa, Idaho, and his immediate family.

Funeral service for Eldon will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 724 W. Fourth Ave. in Moses Lake, Wash. Graveside service will follow Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Gold Hill Cemetery, Cedar Ridge, Kendrick, Idaho. All are welcome and please share special refreshments with us following these services.

Any memorials can be sent to: Amor Divino Outreach, 10410 Farris Ave., Sherwood, AR 72120.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.