Gene Clark

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Earnest Eugene “Gene” Clark, age 82, of Fairborn, Ohio on August 1, 2026. Gene passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family members.

Gene was born May 1, 1944, at his family home in David, Kentucky. The son of a coal miner, he graduated from Prestonsburg High School in 1962. After graduation, he metLinda Tackett who would become his life partner. Gene andLinda married in 1964 and moved to Ohio where he spent 30 years working at General Motors, eventually retiring in 2000. Gene gave his life to Christ in 1974 and embodied his faith by “being a blessing to every person.” He found meaning in his life through family and friends with some of his favorite activities being fishing at Watts Bar or Lyre Lake, playing cards, watching Ohio State football or UK basketball, sharing about God’s grace, and dancing to Michael Jackson. Gene was described as having “never met a stranger,” and he always found a way to make everyone feel uniquely special by lighting up any room he entered. Fondly referred to as “Papa” by his grandchildren, he spent his later years on family lake trips, watching Gunsmoke, and teaching his grandkids how to win at euchre.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Leona Clark. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Linda Clark; brother, Eddie (Kathy) Clark; sister, Betty Childers; hisdaughter, Sandra (Brian) Rathbun; his son, Joseph (Holly)Clark; his six grandchildren, Tom Rathbun, Rachel (Jared) Buckingham, Lylah Clark, Mirabelle Clark, Poppy Clark, Clementine Clark; and many other family and friends who will miss him dearly.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Fund at UC Health. Donations can be made at this link:https://foundation.uc.edu/clark. Check donations can be made payable to Pulmonary Hypertension Fund with “in memory of Earnest Clark” noted on the memo line and mailed to: UC Foundation, PO Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.