Joseph "Joe" Burle Clark, Jr. passed away on August 22, 2017 from complications of ALS.  Joe was born on October 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C. to Joe and Sarah Lee (Gilman) Clark.  He lived in Kansas City, MO until his senior year of high school.  His parents moved to Springfield where he graduated from Parkview HS.

After graduating from Drake University, he married Sylvia Ann Goff.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June, 2017.  To this union were born James Brian Clark and Deborah Lynn Clark.

Joe was commissioned an Ensign upon completion of OCS.  He served on the LST Vernon County 1161 that was home based in Yokosuka, Japan.  Upon completing his military duty, he worked for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell in Kansas City, MO as a CPA.  Later he was transferred to NYC to the Department of Professional Practice.

In 1981, Joe moved his family to Hawaii.  He was CFO of Barnwell Industries; President of Tropical Rent-A-Car and Suntrips.  He was a member of Hawaii YPO.  In 1995, he started his own company, American Bio-Systems, with his business partner, Morgan Timberlake.

Twenty years ago, Joe and Sylvia moved to Springfield.  He enjoyed working out at the Downtown YMCA, watching Cardinals or Royals baseball, NBA basketball, football and European soccer.  He was a member of Panera Curmudgeons coffee group that met every morning.

Joe is survived by Sylvia, of the home; James Brian Clark (wife Sharon) of Eugene, OR; Deborah Clark Kalember (husband Ryan) of Palo Alto, CA and his granddaughters Alessia and Milena Kalember and Kalea Clark.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents and only brother, Fred.

A special thank you goes to Compassus Hospice and Sutton In-Home Care.

Funeral services will be Monday, August 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Mason officiating.  Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be Sunday, August 27, 2017 from 4 to 6:00 PM in the funeral home.

Donations may be made to the Downtown YMCA, 417 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806.