Clark Edward Reno, 56

Clark Edward Reno, 56 passed away as a result of a massive heart attack at Kalispell Regional Hospital on June 27, 2007. Services will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Crossroads Chapel in Bonners Ferry, Idaho,

Clark was born on Oct. 21, 1950 to Clinton Edward and Claudia La Verne Reno in Nyssa, Ore. Clark was their first child and two years later Connie Claudette was born.

Clark is survived by his mother Claudia, sister Connie, daughter Karyl, her husband Dan Pickard, son Charlie, his wife Holly and grandson Payton Pickard.

Clark had a hunger for knowledge and was a voracious reader. Learning new things in school made him seek for more facts, and he spent many hours at the Library.

Clark began his schooling at Hayden Lake, Idaho, then to Richland, Wash., Libby, Mont., then to Pullman, Wash., where he graduated from high school and attended two and half years at WSU.

During his high school years at Pullman, he joined the debate class. He competed all over Washington State. During his senior year, he went to State.

During Dwight D. Eisenhower's reign as President he instituted a program called 'People to People.' It was a program that sent special young people from America to a list of countries in Europe to visit and exchange ideas and let them know how our system of government works. Clark was chosen as one of these young people to represent United States. He visited almost every country in Europe.

Clark enlisted in the Army for one tour of duty and was honorably discharged in August 1978. Clark married Karen Kooyers while in the army. Karyl Lynne was born in May 1978 while they were in Germany. Clark, his wife and Karyl came back to Pullman after his discharge.

Clark began his working life in maintenance. He worked for Western Maintenance, a company who cleaned grocery stores. He not only learned the trade but moved on to be the personnel person.

He has always been in maintenance and janitorial work in almost every capacity, working, training, personnel and sales.

A son, Charles Edward (Charlie) was born in October 1980. Family was always a priority to Clark. Even though he enjoyed people and made friends easily, he thought that the SPECIAL times should be kept for close family.

During most of 2003, Clark came to the mountain and stayed with his parents, Clint and Claudia. He attended Crossroads Chapel regularly.

His uppermost focus was to seek employment, however he worked in any capacity Clint wanted. He sawed trees, split and hauled wood, helped in the garden and did yard work. If he was needed by his parents they came first. If there was a need in our neighborhood or in our Church he volunteered.

During that time, he sanded and refinished the wood floor at the Curley Creek Community Hall. He spent many hours working with Pastor Gayle on the remodel of our Church.

In October 2003, Clark found employment with the Kalispell School District. He was one of the custodians at Hedges Elementary School. He liked to think that he was 'grandfather' to some 250 children. He became personally involved with many of the youngsters. As he had done in his own schooling, he would challenge them to read more and do research on any given subject. When they told him what they had learned, he would ask them more advanced questions on the subject. When they came back with the answers he would reward them with candy. He came to be known as the "CANDY MAN." Many of the youngsters brought their report cards to show him.

He contacted one of the Senators from Montana and was able to get a flag that had flown over the Capitol in Washington DC donated to Hedges School. A special presentation was given and Mr. Reno was thanked and given credit from the school. A DVD was made of the raising of the flag and given to Clark. Clark volunteered to judge the school debate team. He served on the Health Insurance Committee, and also on the Union Advisory Board. Clark loved table games and was very competitive, but never got angry if he lost.

He was a gentle man, a description that has been expresses by many since his passing. Clark has been a rock all through his father's recent illness and death. A man who his mother knew she could count on. His family, his Lord, his word and his work ethic exemplify him, but those who knew him, knew he always did it with grace, humor and a smile on his face.

How he will be missed. The entire family would like to offer appreciation and thanks to all their friends in the Curley Creek Community, Crossroads Chapel, Kalispell School District 5, and other special friends in Kalispell who offered love, prayers and assistance during this trying time.

Please visit the www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com website and sign the guest book.