Ralph E Clark

Ralph E. Clark, 87, passed away at Midland Care in Topeka, KS on September 14, 2025. He was born in Olivet, KS on February 1, 1938, to Fred and Hazel Clark and was the 7th of their 10 children.

He was a fun-loving child who felt that he was the person to make people happy and laugh, which became a lifelong expectation of those who knew him. Coming from a large family, at the age of 7, he developed an admirable work ethic when he bought a used reel-type lawnmower and mowed lawns for townspeople.

In Lebo High School, Ralph was a star athlete in basketball and track and earned the Eagle Scout Badge as a teenager. One of the teachers he most admired inspired him to become a lifelong educator. After graduating from Emporia State University, he fulfilled his fondest dreams and took his first teaching job at Avondale West in USD #501 teaching 6th graders. He absolutely loved teaching and loved the students.

He was creative in his teaching and was able to lead children to achieve their greatest potential. He routinely coached boys from his class for Saturday flag football and basketball. In his 40-year career he was first a teacher, then an elementary principal, a middle school principal working at Jardine for 20+ years.

The Topeka Mayor declared a “RALPH CLARK DAY” with a touching awards ceremony at Jardine with students participating and friends and family in attendance. From there he was selected to become General Director of Elementary and Secondary Education in USD #501. His passion was always “my kids” and he dearly missed being with them after accepting the director position and ultimately retired in 2000.

While attending Emporia State University, he met the love of his life, Andrea. They were married in 1959 and celebrated 66 short years of marriage this year. Their family grew to 3 little ones, a daughter and 2 sons, who were his pride and joy. He played with them, taught them, set the best possible example for them to grow into the outstanding humans they are today.

He coached all sports that his kids were interested in playing and was a Boy Scout leader for his sons. Ralph was an involved daddy. He was a school board member for Seaman schools where he signed and presented high school diplomas for all three of his kids.

Ralph was an active lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. His faith was evident in all aspects of his life. One of his favorite volunteer efforts was driving parents and their children from Topeka to and from the St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

After retiring, he and Andrea traveled the world for many years before deciding to really settle down and seriously retire. That is when he became the famous garage sale manager of Southwest Topeka. He finally gave that up last year when his health began to fail. Up to the last car trip he made, he was asking to stop at any garage sale sign he spotted.

When the grandkids started arriving, his lifelong passion of teaching kids became focused on his very own grandchildren. Many people thought he spoiled them a bit. Whatever they wanted, Grandpa managed to get what was possible. He had his focus on giving them the moon if he could.

Ralph is survived by his wife Andrea, their children and their spouses Debbie and Ed Guiducci and their children Brian and Elizabeth; Brad and Laura Clark and their children Whitney Kearny, Brad Clark Jr, Connor and Alison Clark, Nicole Allen and her children Jackson and Sloane, grandson Ty Fellers; Craig and Pam Clark and their children Brent and Megan. He is also survived by his brothers Bill Clark & family and Earl Clark, sister-in-law Maxine Clark, and many nieces and nephews.

Donations can be made in Ralph’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 online at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 online at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/ or Midland Care, 120 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606 online at https://midlandcare.org/support-us/donate-online/.

To leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.