Racine – John Lawrence Clark, 79, of Racine, passed away passed away at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center on Tuesday evening, December 23, 2014.

A lifelong resident, he was born in Racine on March 2, 1935, the son of the late Thomas and Mabel (nee: Dupuis) Clark.  John was engaged to Sandra B.  Taylor on Friday the 13th.  It became their favorite day to celebrate together.  They were married on February 11, 1956.

John worked as a master plumber for over 45 years. He last worked for Kenosha Unified, retiring in 2000.  He was an active and faithful member of St. Lucy Catholic Church since 1962.  He ushered at St. Lucy for over 50 years until his illness prevented him from continuing. He was known by many of the kids and young families at 10:30 mass as "The Tootsie Roll Man."  Since retiring, John has also volunteered for day care at St. Lucy as well as visiting shut-ins.   A dedicated Knight, John was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 697.  In addition to his church and his faith, John had many passions including; camping with family and friends, going on cruise vacations with Sandra; bus trips and excursions, breakfast with his church family after Mass and being in the company of those he loved.

In addition to his loving wife, Sandy, he is survived by his children, Gail (Diane Giles) Clark-Taylor of Kenosha, Thomas (Carol) Clark, Gerald (Kay) Clark both of Racine,  Dr. Kenneth (fiancée, Mary Jo Romenesko) Clark of Green Bay, Russell (Paula) Clark of Racine; his grandchildren, Penny Clark-Taylor, Joshua (fiancée, Bonnie Renner) Clark, April (Jason) Bachus, Rachelle (Jason) Sprangers, Pamela (John) Wroblewski, Eric Clark, Stephen Clark, Michelle Clark, Donald Clark, Christopher Clark, Neil (Christopher Swingler) Clark and John Clark; great grandchildren, Colin Renner, Addie Clark, Gabriella Sprangers, Lilly Clark; John Clark IIl; his brother, Harold (Marilyn) Clark; sisters-in-law, Marietta Clark, Rosemary (Russell) Nelson, Sandy Vassh; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and church family.  John was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Helen Clark; his sister, Irene (Richard) Dell and brothers, James, Robert and Donald Clark; mother –in-law and step-father-in-law, LaVerne and Andrew Vassh, Sr.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Pat Vance, Mary Frasen, Andrew Vassh and John Vassh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 10:30 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 4-7 pm and in the church on Saturday (January 3rd) from 9:30-10:30 am.  Memorials have been suggested to St. Lucy Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, Council 697.

The Clark family sincerely thanks Dr. Steven Johnson, Dr. Sana Jeffreys, Dr. Robert Taylor and the entire staff at the Aurora Cancer Center for the loving and professional care extended to John during his illness.