Last Trips: A Tribute to Sid Clark

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Last trips:

Not in the Wanderlodge, but on the road through life. Reporting to this
Forum of the passing of a fellow Birder is one of the hardest things to
ever do. Sid Clark of the Dallas Texas area, a member of the Lone Star
Birds and various other groups, has passed into another venue. Born in June
of 1947, his passing is at an all too early age of 58. Sid is survived by
his loving wife Juanita and a son, two daughters, his mother, and of course
Joe-dog, the flopsy mopsy side kick with a personality like his owner, and
who remained at his side even in the hospital.

This writer will never forget the pleasure of meeting this outstanding
individual the first time, a few years or so ago. Sid and Juanita had just
purchased their first Bird and the Lone Star Birds were having a rally in
Perrin TX. Into the campground Sid flew! Parking that Bird on almost a
dime, the brake set, the transmission in neutral, he bounced out of that
Bird, came walking up to me with his hand out, a huge smile on his face and
glowing like a new expectant father. "Hi, I am Sid Clark" he exclaimed as
he shook my hand, that infectious smile getting broader by the moment. He
explained how he had been polishing the wheels and buffing the entire Coach
before coming to the rally. Now there are handshakes and then there was a
handshake by Sid Clark. Being a maintenance tech, the forearms thick and
muscled, you knew your hand had been pressed. Yep, that first meeting left
an impression that is still with me this day.

Sid, a man whom could be counted upon in lending a hand, a word, or just
diving right in no matter the task and the only question would be, "Where
do you want to start?"

A friend, wait, the word friend does not really do this man justice for Sid
was more than a friend to many of us. He touched our hearts with the up
beat of his being, the knowledge stored away in memory and the ease of the
way he presented ideas, suggestions and help.

Miss him, certainly, but gone, hardly, so long as I am around Bird's my
thoughts will drift back to something Sid had to say, and in remembering
that smile, it always brings a smile to this writer at the thought of it.

It was refreshing, to all who had the pleasure to meet and share a campfire
with Sid. His personality was always so constantly up beat and confident.
And so he remained on the last trip in a short lifespan.



Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]