June 20, 1945 - August 14, 2011 Gerald D. Clark, 66, of Visalia, CA passed away August 14, 2011 as a result of a long battle with Cancer. His friends and family were by his side when he departed this earth to be with the Lord. Gerald was born to Dwight and Elva Clark on June 20, 1945 in Visalia, CA. Gerald graduated from Mt. Whitney High School and was awarded an Associate Degree from College of the Sequoias. After serving in the United States Air Force, Gerald returned to Visalia to marry Libby Leonard on September 25, 1971. Gerald worked for Southern California Edison (SCE) in several locations throughout the State before returning to Visalia in 1995. Gerald retired from SCE in 2006 after 25+ years of service. He later partnered with his daughter to open Immediate Care Center located in Visalia, CA. Gerald was a founding member of the Pentecostal Lighthouse on Noble Ave. He was a licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church International. Gerald was a teacher, preacher and an evangelist. He taught Sunday school regularly at the Pentecostal Lighthouse and continued to teach and preach until his health began to fail. He was the spiritual leader for his immediate and extended family. He officiated at baby dedications, baptisms, and the weddings of his children, nieces, and nephews. He was known to Libby as her "Big Daddy Bear". Although gruff at times on the outside, he was mushy and sweet on the inside. He loved making others laugh, and would always try to "find out where their goat was tied". He was quite witty, and was never short on the blonde jokes. Known to his grandchildren as "Papa", he taught them the real way to eat pancakes: no syrup, just a lot of butter and granulated sugar. Friends and family often came to him for his expert advice, which bought him the term "The Godfather". He was a man of high principle and yet he was forgiving, kind, and generous. He truly believed that in loving others, you revealed your love of Christ. He lived by his famous quote, "Peace if possible, but Truth no matter what the cost." Gerald is survived by Libby, his loving wife of 39 years; his mother Elva Clark, his son Warren and wife Ginger Clark, daughter Valerie and husband Marc Sizemore, grandchildren Britain, Ireland, and London Sizemore, and his loving extended family. Gerald was preceded in death by his father Dwight Clark. Gerald was a devoted Son, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend. The world is a poorer place with the death of such a great man. Although he has left a vacancy in our hearts, we strive forward to meet him again in Heaven. Viewing will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20th at Miller Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 21st, at Pentecostal Lighthouse, 1219 West Noble Ave, Visalia, CA. Interment and military honors at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 22nd at Visalia Cemetery. Condolences may be made to www.millerchapel.com

Published in Visalia Times-Delta on August 18, 2011

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Maternal Grandfather: LeRoy Alfred Miller
Maternal Grandmother: Leona Wilson Miller
Maternal Uncle: Calvin T. Miller

Paternal Uncle: Russell "Rusty" Clark

Father-in-law: L. G. Leonard

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