On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, Rev. Buford H. Clark went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can almost hear the Lord saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant…come and share your master’s happiness.” Buford Homer Clark (92) of Allen, Texas, formerly of San Diego, California, was born on August 13, 1916, in a sod dugout on a homestead in Jordan Montana. His parents were Homer Theron Clark and Lettie Likes Clark. He was one of the last of America’s true pioneers. Growing up in Washington State during the Great Depression, he, along with his brothers and sisters, worked during their teen years to help support the family. He even panned for gold when other work was not available. When Buford’s family moved to Cashmere, Washington, he received Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized. This was the beginning of his lifelong commitment to Christian ministry. He graduated from Cashmere High School and went on to attend Western Washington College of Education in Bellingham, Washington and Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, where he earned a B.A. degree. Buford worked at many jobs, including selling shoes, to support himself and pay for his education. It was during this period that he began to preach in several churches in Western Washington. In 1942, Buford entered Berkley Baptist Divinity School in Berkley California. This was where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Livingston of San Diego, California. She responded to his ad for a piano player and soloist to help with his campus outreach ministry; they were married in San Diego on June 11, 1944. Both Buford and Betty graduated from Berkley Baptist Divinity in 1945, Buford with a Master of Divinity degree and Betty with a Master of Christian Education. Back in San Diego, Buford served as an assistant pastor at Fairmont Baptist Church and soon took a pastorate at Brea Baptist Church in Brea, California. In 1948 Laurel Road Baptist Church in Bellingham, Washington called him to be their pastor, and in 1951 he became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Raymond, Washington. In 1953, Buford and Betty, with their growing family, moved back to San Diego where he was pastor of the Logan Heights Baptist Church for the next 17 years until 1965. After an additional two years of serving in the ministry at First Baptist Church of Coronado, California, Buford semi-retired from the ministry and was owner/broker of East San Diego Realty until 2005 when he and Betty moved to Allen, Texas. If only one word could be used to describe Buford Clark’s lifetime of ministry it would be faithful. He was a man of integrity, who remained true to the calling of the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved his Lord, the truth of the Bible, his family, the people in the churches where he served, and people wherever he met them. Even after he retired from active ministry, he faithfully shared in word and action, with anyone who would listen, the Good News about Christ that is found in one of his favorite scriptures. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). Buford’s passion and purpose in life was to glorify Christ through worship, preaching the Bible, and service, and to bring as many people as possible into God’s kingdom. He has touched so many people during his years here on earth that it is impossible to estimate the effect he has had on the lives of people who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Elizabeth Livingston Clark; son, John Clark and his wife Ruth of Granger, Washington; daughters, Carol Cocking and her husband Robert of Allen Texas, Marcia Kawamoto and her husband Richard of Clovis, California, and Sylvia Foust and her husband Thomas of Grand Haven, Michigan. He has eight grandchildren: Jeffrey Cocking, David Cocking, Beth Mills, Perry Clark, Katie Kawamoto, Kimmie Kawamoto, Sarah Spraque, and Erika Bengry. There are also fourteen great grandchildren: Christina Cocking, Jonathan Cocking, Daniel Cocking, Mason Leech, Dawson Leech, Zachary Cocking, Matthew Cocking, Logan Dye, Robert Cocking, Elizabeth Cocking, Samantha Mills, Caleb Mills, Liam Spraque, and Emilia Spraque. Buford is also survived by his brother, H.T. Clark and his wife Lena of Tucson, Arizona, sisters Opal Haptenstall of Richland, Washington, and Melva Spurgeon and Ora Lee Bartolomay of Spokane, Washington, and sisters-in-law, Margaret Clark of Spokane, Washington and Beth Livingston of Bellingham, Washington. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Homer and Lettie Clark, sister, Vella Hayden, brother, Glenn Clark, and infant daughter, Melva Lucinda Clark. Buford Clark’s interment will be at Ridgeview Memorial Park, McKinney, Texas. Visitation is planned for Friday evening, May 22 from 6-8:00 P.M. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in McKinney. A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Ridgeview Memorial Park. Flowers may be sent to Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway N., Allen, TX 75013, or gifts in memory of Buford Clark may be given to the charity of your choice. A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED DAD My dear dad has gone to God and to his heavenly place. He is now looking into Jesus' face. Jesus said, "Welcome my child, well done. By my grace and by my blood your victory has been won. My arms are open wide for you, and there is nothing more for you to do. Run to me, you have finished the race. Now you may rest and enjoy my grace. I know you were sick and had a stroke. You left behind so many beloved folks. They will miss you dearly, not seeing your face, but they all know you are in a much better place. Look and see, here is your mansion I prepared just for you, and your crowns for all the trials you came through. Now your earthly life is over, and eternity has begun. Enter into my presence and enjoy yourself, my son. Because your heart was turned toward me, in my presence you will ever be." JOHN LIVINGSTON CLARK