Howard Edward Clark

Howard Edward Clark was born in Anaheim, California, to David and Regina Clark. The family moved to Window Rock, Arizona, as missionaries to the Navajos and later settled in Flagstaff, where Howard graduated from high school. As the two oldest children, Howard and his older sister, Jeannie, helped care for their five younger siblings, learning early the value of family, responsibility, and service.

Always an adventurer, Howard embraced life with enthusiasm in his early adulthood, developing many of the interests that brought him joy throughout his life. He wrangled horses for Western movies, swam competitively, and cultivated a deep love of music, enjoying playing the trombone and guitar, as well as conducting. During an unexpected growth spurt in college, he took up basketball, a sport he continued to enjoy throughout his life.

Howard’s deep love of the Lord and His Word, his passion for people, and his commitment to ministry, inspired him to pursue a range of academic and professional training. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Radio and Television Communication from John Brown University, graduated from the Dallas Police Academy, received a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Baptist Seminary. 

Howard served as the Senior Pastor of churches across the country, including Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades in Pacific Palisades, California; Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts; Northwest Bible Church in Dallas, Texas; First Baptist Church in Visalia, California; and First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Howard began his ministry as the Youth Minister and then Associate Pastor of Reinhardt Bible Church in Dallas, Texas and completed his formal ministry as the Senior Associate Pastor of Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California. Howard shared his love for Jesus Christ and the Word of God, teaching, shepherding, and investing in the lives of those entrusted to his care.

Howard’s ministry extended well beyond the local church. He collaborated with the founder of Community Bible Study at its inception, helping advance a ministry that would reach countless people through the study of God’s Word. Through Stephen Ministry, he trained hundreds of mentors to walk alongside people experiencing crises and difficult seasons of life. For 20 years, he spoke at Campus By the Sea, InterVarsity’s Summer Family Camp on Catalina Island. He led numerous trips to Israel, sharing his love for the Bible and the land in which its stories unfolded. 

Howard loved getting outdoors and sharing adventures with his family. They enjoyed snow and water skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, riding motorcycles, stargazing, rock climbing, and spelunking. 

Shortly after Howard and Kathy moved to Colorado, Howard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Although life gradually changed for them, their joy in living near their children and grandchildren remained a constant source of encouragement. Their new friends at Trinity Anglican, their church home in Colorado, also became a steadfast source of friendship and support.

Howard was preceded in death by his treasured daughter, Kristen Elizabeth Clark; his parents, David and Regina Clark; his brothers, Dave Clark and Paul Clark; his brother-in-law, Bob Christensen; his sister-in-law, Sandy Mittelstett; and his nephew, Eric Christensen.

Howard is survived by his cherished wife of 54 years, Kathy (Pirtle) Clark; and his treasured children and grandchildren: his son, Jonathan Edward Clark; his daughter, Kaitlyn Marie Clark; his daughter-in-law, Kendra (Serrano) Clark; his grandchildren, Asher Edward Clark and Skylar Rose Clark; and his siblings, Jeannie (Clark) Christensen; Nita (Sage) Clark; Sylvia (Clark) and Gene Spillman; Jamie and Cynthia Clark; and Lisa Clark. 

Howard is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews: Kevin and Bethanie Christensen; Chad Clark; Kara and Marcus Thomas; Elizabeth Spillman; Krista and Sam Copeland; Erin and Joe Petrelli; Audrey and Noah Smith; Amy and Scott Sample; and Mandy and Chad Stuber.

He will be lovingly remembered by his extended family and the many lives he touched throughout his life.

Join us as we celebrate the life of Howard Edward Clark

Friday | October 16, 2026
10:00am Graveside at Golden Cemetery – 755 Ulysses Street in Golden, CO 80129
2:00pm Service at St. James Presbyterian. Reception to follow in Avery Hall.

Flowers can be directed to the church address.

https://trinitylittleton.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/239554957 

Or, in lieu of flowers, gifts could be made to Dallas Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund.