Norman Ellsworth Clark

1935 ~ 2021

Viewing:

Nov. 6, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:40 AM
Holladay Stake Center, 4568 Holladay Blvd., Holladay, UT 84117
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  • Service:

    Nov. 6, 2021
    12:00 PM
    Holladay Stake Center, 4568 Holladay Blvd., Holladay, UT 84117
  • Directions to Service
  • A beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his children on Monday, October 25, 2021.
    Norman was born May 20, 1935, in Salt Lake City to Ellsworth Marion and Dorothy Smith Clark. He had the privilege to grow up in the beautiful towns of Parker and St. Anthony, Idaho. He learned to swim in the nearby streams, explored the “island” and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Eastern Idaho until the age of 10, when the family moved to Salt Lake City. He cherished his role of being the eldest of 9 children.
    Norman graduated from South High School, and then attended the University of Utah where he studied architecture. At an institute dance, he met the love of his life, Charleen. He noticed her dancing with someone else from across the room. He was so captivated by her that he cut in and asked her to dance: thus starting their journey together. They dated for several years; during that time, Norman honorably served in the Northern California Mission. He enjoyed his many experiences and getting to know his companions, one of which became a brother in-law. He also served in the US Army Reserves for many years.
    He married his sweetheart on August 12, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple. Being an eternal family was extremely important to Norman and Charleen, and we are certain there is a joyful reunion on the other side.
    Norman was an accomplished artist, architect, teacher and gardener. He worked as a draftsman until he obtained his dream of becoming an AIA Licensed Architect and worked in various practices, partnerships and his own practice for over 40 years. One of his many accomplishments was designing and building his own home.
    Norm was an Associate Professor at Salt Lake Community College for 30 years, where he taught classes in the Architectural Technology Department. He retired only 5 years ago, at the age of 81. He found joy in teaching and associating with the students and faculty. He impacted their lives while gladly sharing his talents, expertise and time.
    His thirst for knowledge and self-improvement continued throughout his life. Norman enjoyed studying a variety of subjects including astronomy, geology and history; he also enjoyed going to art classes for many years up until just a few months ago. While teaching full-time, Norm returned to college to complete his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Teacher Education. At 69 years of age, he was the oldest to graduate from Utah State University when he obtained his master’s degree in Industrial Technology and Education.
    Norman’s love of running grew in his later years, and he enjoyed the adventure to train and run in the St. George marathon at the age of 54, with his son-in-law, Brian.
    Norman was an accomplished artist and painted throughout his life. He had a great reverence for nature and was fulfilled when he was able to interpret God's beautiful creations with his paint brush. He favored depicting landscapes with oils, especially views of Mount Olympus and the Tetons. Throughout his life, he won many awards in art competitions and had several gallery showings. Norm inspired, encouraged and taught a love of art and design to all those around him.
    Norman led his family with a quiet, selfless example by exemplifying honesty, unconditional love and patience. He found joy in his role of being a father and grandfather. His kind and encouraging words will always be remembered.
    He served in the Church with dedication in many capacities including stake and ward missionary, in the Young Men’s organization and in the Bishopric. His favorite callings were serving with his wife in the Special Needs Mutual for 15 years and being a faithful home teacher/minister up to the end of his life.
    Norman is preceded in death by Charleen, his wife of 61 years; his parents; four grandsons; and two brothers. He is survived by six siblings; his children, Michelle (Brian) Harris, Janene (Brad) Wright, Susan (Greg) Hatfield, Stephen (Cathy) Clark, Brian (Amanda) Clark, Cheryl (James) Wright, Melissa (Jeff) Quigley; 26 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 6th at noon at the Holladay Stake Center, 4568 Holladay Blvd., Holladay, UT 84117. A viewing prior to services will be held from 10:00 am - 11:40 am. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    I will always be grateful for my association with Norman and Charleen. They are kind and gentle souls who were always willing to serve others and who would always send a note of gratitude for the smallest act of kindness shown to them. I have been lifted by knowing them and their exemplary lives encourage me to be better.


    - Hugh Smith

    Sending love, prayer, and hugs to my beautiful cousins! I am so grateful for your example and the tremendous legacy of faith and kindness displayed by your parents. Norman was an amazing, kind, determined, patient, faithful, resolute, and passionate individual. He was a teacher and a life-long learner. His influence has been broad and deep. As the oldest in my father’s family, I’m very grateful for his wonderful, humble example.
    I am sure that the reunion with your mother, Charleen, has been blissful and exciting. He will continue to pioneer the way for all of you there, I am sure. And I am sure that he is in heaven as he is one step closer to the Master Architecht.
    Love,
    Loren S. Clark (cousin)


    - Loren Clark

    From two of Norman's former students, as sent to me:
    Thank you so much for letting me know about Norm. He was a great professor, and when I competed in the national VICA competition it was Norm and Charlene that went with me to Kansas City. It was great to spend time with him outside of the classroom, he was always such a great example of kindness and cared for each of his students. I am sorry for your loss and plan on joining you on Saturday to celebrate his life.
    Thanks,
    Eric A. Jones

    Norm was a giant of a man. He really meant a lot to the architecture community and to me personally. He will be greatly missed and always remembered here. Thank you for letting me know that means a lot.
    Thank You
    Spencer Anderson


    - Loren Clark

    Fred and I were surprised and saddened to read of Norm's passing. We have not seen him since March of 2020 and had no idea he was in ill health. We so enjoyed him and Charlene over the four+ decades of living in the Holladay 3rd Ward. They were both special people. We will miss both of them. We considered them our friends. Our love to your family
    Fred and Marsha Parkin


    - Marsha Parkin

    Clark Family,
    I want to let you know how much I loved your mom and dad! I sat near them often at church and they were both so kind. I will never forget watching your dad sketch the faces of the speakers on a small piece of paper each week. I not only watched him do that on many occasions, but shouldn't have been surprised when he gave me the portrait of me that he had sketched when I spoke!! I still have that picture and thought that was such a nice way to acknowledge different members of the ward and help us feel included! I am so impressed with his talent and how he quietly shared it with all of us.

    Your sweet mom, who handled her struggles with such grace and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was so sweetly supported by your dad. They were both such great examples to me and greatly missed by many. You are all in our hearts and prayers and I hope you can take comfort knowing their great legacy was widely felt. I was blessed to know them.

    Love,
    Pam Parkin


    - Pam Parkin

    Dear family of Norm Clark,
    This is John Hughes. I was one of several of Norm’s painting instructors at Salt Lake Community College. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated and respected Norm. He was such a quiet, decent and unassuming man I was always amazed by his tenacity and drive to become better and better at his paintings, which he did! Whenever I would take the class out into the landscape to paint Norm would always be the last person to finish up and I would often see him painting after the sun went down while everyone else was packing up to leave. iIm truly sorry that I won’t be able to make his funeral because I am out of town but please know of my great respect for this great man.
    God bless,
    John Hughes


    - John Hughes

    Dear Clark Family,
    We are so sorry to hear of Norman’s passing. We pray that the Lord’s comfort will be with you at this sad time. Although as cousins we were quite different in age, I always respected him and all my Clark relatives.


    - Charles Whitaker