Harold Lee (Lefty) Clark

Private pilot was Korean War-era veteran. Harold Lee "Lefty" Clark, 80, of Washington, died Sunday, February 14, 2010, while in respite care at Southmont of Presbyterian SeniorCare, Washington, following a lengthy period of poor health. He died peacefully with family members at his side. He was born February 11, 1930, in Claysville, a son of the late Arthur C. Clark and Mary Louise Riggle Clark. He attended Claysville High School and lived most of his life in the Claysville area. On December 17, 1951, he married Myrna Lee Swartzfeger of Washington, who survives. In 1951, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict and was stationed in South Carolina at Parris Island, where he became an expert rifleman. Over his lifetime, he drove truck for Standard Motor Freight, Trans-Oil Co. and Beatty Motor Express. He also drove for Washington City Bus Lines and Gibbons Motor Express. He was a member of Teamsters Union. In 1959, he became a member of United Steelworkers Local 1141, when he was employed by Jessop Steel Co. He worked at Jessop until 1981, when he was forced to take a disability retirement. "Lefty" enjoyed family gatherings, watching television, reading the Observer-Reporter, playing pool and playing cards. He and his wife traveled throughout North America with their Pomeranian, Foxy, in their motor home. Mr. Clark had a lifelong love of flying and all things aviation and had a private pilot's license. In addition to his wife, Myrna, surviving are four children, Ramona (Harry) Jenks of Canonsburg, Cindy L. (Vincent III) Chmel, Anita (Robert Jr.) Calvert and Raymond W. Clark, all of Claysville; his eight grandchildren, Amy N. and Robert M. Calvert III, Sabrina and Erik Chmel, Sean O. and Logan M. Clark and Holly and Zachary Cholak; a great-grandchild, Bryanna Goodwin; a brother, Kenneth R. (Joan) Clark of Washington; and a large extended family of nieces and nephews. He also leaves Reita (Donald) Melvin and Tracy Swartzfeger (Richard) Mar, who he thought of as daughters. Deceased are three brothers and three sisters, Arthur Jr., Willis (Virginia), William "Newt" (Jane) and Mildred Clark, Eileen (Paul) Hewitt and Flora "Flo" (Paul) Main; and his granddaughter, Brooke D. Clark. He will be remembered for his love of family and for his generosity. Interment will be private in Washington Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family suggests donations be made to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.