Clyde E. Clark

clyde  clark

May 21, 1942 ~ October 23, 2024

Born in: Washington, DC
Resided in: Ashburn, Virginia

Clyde Evans Clark, 82, of Ashburn, VA passed away on October 23, 2024. He was preceded in death by his father, Hiram Lewis Clark, his mother, Mary Elizabeth Harper Clark, his brother, William Charles Clark, and his sister Elaine Clark Chandler. He is survived by his devoted wife, of 55 years, Amy Catherine Harris Clark, his brother Gordon Lewis Clark, his daughters Kristin Danzenbaker (Warren Danzenbaker) and Elizabeth Anderson (Robert Anderson), and his six grandchildren – Cole, Cason, Walker, Keaton, Taylor and Carter.

Clyde was born in Washington, DC and spent his young life in Takoma Park, MD where he survived non paralytic polio as a child. When Clyde’s family moved from Takoma Park to Vienna, VA at the age of 8, he discovered the surrounding area on his bike through his newspaper route. He graduated from McLean High School in 1960 and always remained close to members of his class through the Reunion Committee for decades. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Bridgewater College and his Master of Education from the University of Virginia.

He began his career in education in Loudoun County as a high school biology teacher in 1966; where he met Catherine a fellow biology teacher. In a career that spanned 39 years, he went on to teach at Woodson High School in Fairfax, VA as well as Pimmit Hills Alternative School in McLean, VA. He and Cathy traveled extensively in Europe the year they both taught abroad in London at the American School of London.

Beyond teaching, Clyde’s real passion was volunteering with fire departments associated the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. Too young to become an official member at the age of 14, he was only allowed to wash fire trucks. But by age 16, he was allowed to join the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department. He transferred to the McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) four years later and he remained a steadfast volunteer there for the following 62 years. He served the community of McLean for 20+ years as the volunteer Chief, he was on the Fairfax County Fire Commission; and never stopped serving in an administrative role whether as a member of the Board of Directors or as a member of the MVFD’s History and House Committees. He helped co-author the History of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department which was published in 2003. He was a life member of the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society; serving as President for 11+ years and contributed to the antique fire truck parade at the annual Apple Blossom Festival. In 2022, he and 3 other friends bought their first fire truck – an antique Pirsch Rescue Squad – that served at McLean in the 1950 into the early 1960’s.

He loved reading mystery books, watching scary movies, traveling down to Charlottesville for UVA Football games, eating at no more than 5 local dineries – McLean Pizza, McKeevers Irish Pub, the Vienna Inn, Wu’s Chinese House and Foster’s Grille. Given the gift of gab and the love of the telephone from his mother, he began every phone call with a warm “Nello”. Given the sense of humor from his father, he perfected friendly jokes and the arm pit fart. His artistic outlet was in photography; developing his own pictures that captured his beautiful family and the countryside of Virginia. He had a special love for all of the dogs in his life, the numerous cats his wife brought home, but especially Cupcake the cat that remains at home with Catherine.

Clyde will be greatly missed by his community, by his friends and by his family.

A memorial service will take place at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, VA on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at 11:00 am EST, followed immediately by an interment, and then reception at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the McLean Volunteer Fire Department or the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society, or the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Services

Memorial Service: October 30, 2024 11:00 am

Church of the Holy Comforter
543 Beulah Road, NE
Vienna, VA 22181

703-938-7440

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Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Clyde E. Clark 's name.

Fairfax County Animal Shelter

www.fairfaxcounty.gov

McLean Volunteer Fire Department

mcleanvfd.org

Old Dominion Historical Fire Society

odhfs.org

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. My deepest condolences to the family. Clyde was a great man, father, husband, brother, and a pillar in the community. I have very fond memories of being invited for Thanksgiving. Clyde’s witty humor always kept us smiling and laughing. Those memories will always be with me. He will be sorely missed. RIP dear Clyde.

  2. I met Clyde through the ODHFS many years ago. Always a smile, handshake and a quick conversation about my fire company’s Mack. He was a great guy! My prayers and condolences to the family.

  3. It has been an honor to have known and worked with Clyde since he joined The Old Dominion Historical Fire Society in 1995. Our passion for the fire service and it’s history brought us together. Always a fine gentleman and someone you could always go to for advice, he stepped up to become The President of The ODHFS – a position he held for a full 10 years of his life, devoting much time & energy to insuring the organization would continue to grow & prosper. Still helping wherever he could right up until very recently, I and the members of the ODHFS will surely miss him.

  4. My Uncle Clyde was larger than life. As a child, I enjoyed pestering him about all things firefighting and hearing his stories of going on calls. I am so happy to say I saw him recently while he was in the hospital, and we shared some joyous laughs. We will miss his wit, humor, and loving character. He will be greatly missed, but I know he is at peace now.

  5. Catherine & family… Lisa, Piper and myself are heart broken to hear this. I cherish the conversations with both of you and we could not have asked for better neighbors. The icing on the cake was the fire department connection we shared. All the neighborhood and fire service stories Clyde told me will always make me smile when I think of him. God bless him and your family. We will all miss him.

  6. Catherine & Family
    I am so very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man. I met Clyde through my dad, Paul Lamp. I loved pestering Clyde and giving him a hard time and just laughing together. He always pestered me right back, and I’m thankful we kept in contact through the years. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️🙏🏼

  7. Catherine and Family
    When I joined the MVFD in 1989 I had met Clyde. He was a mentor and a great friend to me right from the beginning.
    We shared a love for the Fire Department, Antique fire equipment and our 1970 Pirsch Engine. I have felt honored to drive that truck for the last 35 years. Imagine having the ability to drive a Fire Engine that you used to try to follow on your bicycle as a child. This was all due to Clyde. He loved the old Pirsch and so do I. We will greatly miss him, I will miss him more than words can say. God bless you Catherine and the entire Family. Rest in Peace Chief, and friend.

  8. My sincerest condolences to the Clark family. Clyde was a true friend and very instrumental in working with me on the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society Safety Plan, and procedures. Over the years we shared many phone calls and emails in completing this project. Clyde will be missed but more importantly remembered for all of his dedication to his family, fire service, and the community.

  9. Clyde Clark was an exceptional man. Educator, Community Leader, and distinguished Gentleman. I knew Clyde through my membership in the ODHFS. His dedication to the club was outstanding.

    Ken Ogdin
    Captain, Retired
    Sterling Volunteer Fire Co.


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