Obituary for Marvin Clark

Marvin Lyle Clark

August 29, 1953 – June 5, 2024

Marvin Lyle Clark, 70, of Ponca City, OK, passed peacefully on June 5, 2024, at his home that he had loved for forty years. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, June 10, 2024, at First Christian Church with Rev. Stephen Johnson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Marvin was born August 29, 1953, to Lyle and Joann Clark in Ponca City, OK, the youngest of three children. Being the baby of the family was something he enjoyed very much. Growing up in West Ponca, many days he could be found walking from Lincoln Elementary to the family house behind the Airline Drive-In movie theater. Marvin was first chair trumpet all through high school. There are even stories of the sound of someone practicing trumpet echoing off the screen at the drive-in many times. Marvin graduated from Ponca City High School in the class of 1971. After graduation Marvin went to work for the Homer Luther Music store in downtown Ponca City, while attending Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, OK.

During the summer of 1973, Marvin met Sharon Taylor. The story goes that while he was working, Sharon Taylor came in and had cut her finger. Marvin, always prepared like a boy scout should be, offered her a band-aid and a date. From their first date Marvin knew Sharon was the love of his life. Marvin and Sharon were married on a hot July Fourth in 1975. The first couple of years Marvin and Sharon lived in Indiana while finishing college at Anderson College now known as Anderson University. After graduation in 1979, Marvin and Sharon returned to Ponca City for Marvin to start his career as an accountant for Conoco. The following year Marvin and Sharon welcomed a son, Kelsey Lyle. Their two daughters, Amory Lea and Brady Joy, followed closely after. Marvin was a loving and intentional father always allowing his children to be the best unique versions of themselves.

Marvin was very active in his community as well. He served and sang in the choir at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ for over 30 years. While his kids were growing he was an active member of the Lincoln Elementary School community and PTA. Marvin led many service projects in the community and in scouting. Eventually, Marvin became a member of the Ponca City Public Schools Board of Education. A dream he had since high school. He was an advocate for the building of the new Lincoln Elementary. He was always proud of the impact he made in the community. However, the highlight of his time on the school board was handing high school diplomas to each of his three children as they walked the stage at graduation. Notably in 2001, an honorary diploma was handed to his own father, Lyle Clark, who left high school early to fight in World War II.

In 2012, Marvin retired from Conoco after 33 years of service. By 2013, Marvin and Sharon had welcomed five grandchildren, with three of the five arriving in 2013, within 10 days of each other. While anyone could see Marvin loved being a dad, the upgrade to grandpa was a different level for him. With four granddaughters and one grandson, he was always willing to wear a handmade bracelet or make a FaceTime call. He loved giving his grandkids gifts and seeing them smile. He loved to be called “Papa.”

2013, started with the birth of grandkids and planned trips. However, in the fall of 2013, Sharon was diagnosed and passed suddenly of breast cancer. After Sharon’s passing, Marvin again returned to serving the church and the community. He filled a position on the school board again. Knowing Marvin’s love for kids, he was approached by members of the community and church to see if he would be open to fostering a young man until he graduated from high school. Marvin willingly opened his home and family to Covin Smith. Though not his own, he was proud to see Covin grow and come into his own as a young man in the community. This relationship eventually led Marvin to be a member of the board for the Marland Children’s home.

In his free time, Marvin enjoyed researching his ancestry. So much so that family vacations were planned around cemetery plot stops. In his final years, Marvin enjoyed a good Taco Tuesday with friends, then bringing home a doggy bag to his German Shepherd, Laylie.

Marvin was preceded in death by: his wife, Sharon Clark; parents, Lyle and Joann Clark; his sister, Ronda Sweany; and his brother, Kenneth Clark. Marvin is survived by: son, Kelsey Clark and wife, Ciara Clark, of Fort Worth, TX.; daughter, Amory Butler and husband, James Butler, of Broken Arrow, OK; daughter, Brady Tracy and husband, Damon Tracy, of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Jamie, Isabella, Jenna, Azalea, James, Damona, Phoenix, Nicholas, and Ezra; niece, Joanna Hardy of Delaware; and nephew, Randy Sweany of Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marland’s Place, 1300 Summers Pl, Ponca City, OK 74604.

Source: Trout Funeral Home