Clark A. Eacker Sr.

Clark A. Eacker, Sr., loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2019 in the presence of his family. A visitation will be held from 1-2:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. service on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Northside Christian Church, 500 N. Ridgeview Dr., Warrensburg, MO 64093. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Clark is survived by Ruth, his wife of 58 years, of Blue Springs, MO, son Clark Eacker Jr. of north Texas, daughter Rhonda Becker (Steve) of Blue Springs, two grandsons Jonathan Becker (Madison, WI) and Michael Becker (Blue Springs), and two brothers Dale (Faye) Eacker of Tallahassee, FL and Glen (Nancy) Eacker of Spring Lake, MI. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Don and Eve Eacker of Muskegon, MI. Born November 15, 1936 in Muskegon, MI, Clark grew up on a farm in Montague MI where his love of the outdoors began and flourished. Clark began his college career as a music major, playing saxophone in the marching and concert bands at Michigan State. After three years at Michigan State he entered the US Navy and served in the Navy as a guided missile technician on the USS Norton Sound and USS Lynde McCormick. After leaving the Navy, Clark returned to his agricultural roots and completed a degree in agriculture and conservation at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. He then began a 32 year career with the Soil Conservation Service, a division of the USDA, serving farmers and landowners in both Michigan and Missouri. He advanced to the position of Area Conservationist in Warrensburg, MO overseeing 17 counties. The accomplishment he was most proud of during his time at SCS was his work to develop a program to provide job experience to individuals with disabilities, for which he was honored by the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington DC. After taking early retirement from the SCS, Clark began a second career that continued to fulfill his desire to help others. He worked as a job coach at The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City in their Warrensburg office. In that role, he worked one on one with disabled individuals to help them find meaningful employment. Clark always placed a high importance on his family, writing letters and staying in touch with family and coworkers. He held onto a keen sense of humor; he liked to make people laugh. He enjoyed writing poems about friends and co-workers that he cared for. He participated in various community bands throughout his life until his mid-seventies. He enjoyed wildlife, gardening and planting trees and flowers in his yard. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)