Frank "Hal" Clark

Frank Halsted "Hal" Clark passed away Monday, November 23, 2020 in Elk City, Okla. 

Hal Clark, 88, was born in Bartlesville, Okla. on January 10, 1932 to Frank T. and Nellie Clark. They moved often with his father’s work responsibilities as a geologist. After he graduated from Pascal High School in Fort Worth, Texas in 1949, he attended Texas Tech University and earned a degree in Animal Science and Range Management. He married Patricia Brown in Oklahoma City on February 1, 1953.

Hal and Pat moved to the Clark family ranch in Cimarron County, Okla. in 1953, where he managed the cattle operation for more than half a century. They had three children; Jay, Brad, and Jan. Hal was a member of the Kenton United Methodist Church in Kenton, Okla. and was involved with the Kenton Easter Pageant for several decades. 

After raising their family on the ranch, Hal and Pat moved to Guymon, Okla. in 1982 to manage Nash Brothers Motor Company. He purchased the car dealership from his aunt, Mary Nash, and later renamed it Clark Auto Ranch. He owned and operated the dealership until 2014. Ever the life-long learner, Hal was eager to take on new projects and entrepreneurial ventures. In everything Hal did, he was resilient and persistent.

His contributions to the community included involvements with Kiwanis and Guymon Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors. Passionate about heritage, he gave Leadership Oklahoma tours from Guymon to Kenton and back. Storyteller to the core, Hal could remember history and people so well. In 2016, he was named Parade Marshal for Guymon’s Pioneer Days.

He was appointed to the Farmer’s Royalty Co. Board in 1987 and served through May 2017, including 12 years as Chairman of the Board. Following in his father’s interest of geology, Hal thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with Farmer’s Royalty and staying engaged in the oil and gas industry. 

Hal served on numerous committees and commissions whose goal has been improving economic conditions and quality of life for Oklahoma citizens, including serving on the Cimarron County Conservation District Board for 50 years and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for 17 years. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Conservation Hall of Fame in 1997. He received the Governor’s Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Award in 2017.

Preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bob Clark, and 2 sons, Jay and Brad.  He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Tim Israel of Elk City; daughter-in-law, Marlene Henson of Guymon; 7 grandchildren, Lisa Greenhouse, Jaylene Williamson, Jeff Clark, Justin Clark, Kent Israel, Kirk Israel, and Kyle Israel; 17 great-grandchildren; and sister, Beth Pankratz. 

Visitation in Guymon is Friday, November 27 from 1-7pm at Henson-Novak Funeral Home. Visitation in Boise City is Saturday, November 28 from 9am-12pm. There will be a private family graveside service in Kenton. 

Memorials may be given to: Kenton United Methodist Church, Kenton Easter Pageant, No Man’s Land Historical Museum in Goodwell, or Cimarron Heritage Center in Boise City. 

Friends and family may sign the online guest book or leave a condolence at www.hensonnovak.com.

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