Delmar G. Clark

The family of Delmar “Del” G. Clark is saddened to share that he passed away on July 6, 2025, after 90 years of living life to the fullest. Del was born on June 4, 1935, in Rockford, IL to Glen and Harriet Clark. He was the third of four brothers, all of whom raised their families in the Rockford area. Del attended West High School, where he was a varsity letterman in football, swimming, and track. After high school, Del enlisted in the Army and proudly served his country for six years before being honorably discharged in 1961. Del spent time as a lifeguard, part of a medical team, and as a water purification specialist. He traveled the world during his service but was primarily stationed in Japan. While stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and working as a lifeguard, Del met the love of his life, Annie who was from Maine. Del and Ann were married on October 25, 1957, and celebrated sixty wonderful years together before Ann’s passing in 2017. Assigned to a base in Germany soon after their wedding, Del and Ann traveled all over Europe, including a visit to the Vatican where they attended a papal audience. Del was proud of his service and their home displayed his patriotism, adorned by eagles and flags of the United States and the U.S. Army. Upon returning home from the Army, Del was employed by Greenlee Textron where he worked as a CNC machinist and served as union steward. Del had an incredible work ethic, only missing one non-vacation day in his 37-year career. He retired in 1997.

Del and Ann first lived with Del’s parents but soon set up home in an apartment on Benderwirt Avenue. Ann’s niece, Mary Lee, moved from Maine and lived with them for a couple of years. Del had a special relationship with Mary Lee and between them there were many shenanigans and lots of laughs. A birthday cake from Mary Lee was a yearly tradition for Del, a tradition that one year famously ended with the cake smashed in his face. Del and Ann moved to Maine for a brief time before returning to Rockford and settling in their first home on Spring Brook Avenue, where they raised their family. They spent their retirement years in their beautiful home on Legend Lane. Del and Ann were overjoyed to welcome their son, Terry, to the family in 1966. They were devoted parents and made a home that was welcoming, fun, and full of love. Their house was the one where all the kids wanted to hang out. They were generous in so many ways and always looking out for others. They cared for Ann’s mother who lived with them in her later years. Tommy Simpson and Christina Ditto also grew up in their home and were part of the family. Del and Ann cherished and doted on their only grandchild Evan, helping to raise her in her early years. When Terry was young, he and Del had a Saturday morning routine of running errands and bopping around town. Most of their shopping was done three blocks up the road at Edgebrook, but Del never took the direct route and never went the same way. This tradition is something they shared throughout Del’s life. They enjoyed visiting friends and family or cruising around town, checking out some of Del’s old Rockford haunts. Fairgrounds Park and pool were Del’s favorite. Having grown up a block from there, it was his summer hangout. Del spoke of swimming there with buddies and going to triple features at the Times Theater. He loved being by the Rock and Kishwaukee Rivers, a nod to his fishing days. Even in his later years, Del and Terry were always able to go out and have fun running around town. They shared a love of music - Pavarotti, Johnny Mathis, and John Denver were some of Del’s favorites. Terry said, “He wasn’t just my dad, but my best friend.”

Later in life, Del married former longtime neighbor Jan Cooper, and together they enjoyed companionship and travel. Through that union he welcomed two stepdaughters, Allison and Erika, who remained close and brought him joy. Del loved spending summers at Fish Lake, WI with family and friends. Del was likable and fun loving and had many good friends there. Those days at Fish Lake were filled with good times and mischief. A friend to all creatures great and small, Del found joy in the companionship of many pets over the years, especially his Collies and Westies. He held a special place in his heart for his beloved Chewy, a loyal companion over the past ten years. Del was a talented, self-taught artist. He expressed his creativity through various mediums including oils, watercolor, chalk, and acrylic. Uniquely, his trademark was clowns. If you were the lucky recipient of one of his signature works, he would often add a distinctive touch to make it special just for you. Blessed with a green thumb, Del was an avid gardener, and his home was filled with plants inside and out. He also enjoyed feeding and watching the myriads of birds in his park-like backyard. Del proudly endured decades as a Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan, a testament to his eternal optimism and perhaps a touch of stubbornness. His loyalty did pay off as he lived to see both of his teams win it all. Del will be remembered for his warmth and big smile, his creative spirit, and the kindness and compassion he brought to so many. He was a helluva guy!

Delmar was preceded in death by his wife, Ann J. Clark; his parents, Gene and Harriet Clark; his brothers, Gene (Helen) Clark and Vern (Donna) Clark; and his second wife, Janice Cooper Clark. He is survived by his sons, Terry (Lisa) Clark and Tom (Lori) Simpson; daughter, Christina Ditto; granddaughter, Evan (Joe) LaGruth; brother, Robert Clark; nieces, Kim (Fred) Rogers, Karen (Rick) Carballa and Lisa Clark; stepdaughters, Allison (Kevin) Sorg and Erika (Craig) Vaden.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion, 1011 S. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61108 on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Family and friends will gather to share memories and honor Del’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, www.noahsarkanimals.org.

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