Clark Edward McNeal II from Branson,
Missouri, passed away Monday 9 November 2020 in Springfield, Missouri. Born
April 8, 1942, in Belmond, Iowa, Clark was 78 at the time of his death.
Clark was the first of five children,
born April 8, 1942, to Dorothy and Clark H. McNeal in Belmond, Iowa. He
was a tall, handsome child who often had a crafty joke and a bright
smile. After finishing high school in Belmond, Clark earned his BA from
Cornell College in Mt. Vernon and his JD from the University of Iowa in 1967. Clark
practiced law in Iowa Falls, Iowa, at the offices of Barker, McNeal, Wiese
& Holt from 1967 until his retirement. From 1991 to 1995, Clark served
as the state representative for Hardin County.
Clark settled in Iowa Falls, 50 miles
from his boyhood home. It was here his daughters were born and he joined a
legal practice. In addition to his work, Clark was active in his church,
singing in the choir and serving as a trustee. Trips to Belmond were frequent
where he and the extended family would gather to play with the kids and
gather around Dorothy's table. Clark would play piano and sing hymns while
the family played games. Each December, Clark would return to Mount Vernon,
Iowa, to blend his booming bass voice into the choir that performed Handel's Messiah.
Upon retiring Clark relocated to
Branson where he reunited with his sister and her family. It was his great
delight to spend more time playing the piano. It was this ability that made up
the soundtrack of many McNeal memories, the sound of the piano often filled
every corner of the house. Clark also used retirement to explore new
hobbies like going on cruises, perfecting all types of pies, attending services
at church, debating theology with fellow churchgoers, and feeding the deer in his
backyard. He spent many hours with the animals he shared with his partner
Connie in their Branson home.
Clark enjoyed the company of all people
but seemed especially enchanted by the young children in his life. He enjoyed
listening to the stories they told him and being an attentive adult in their
lives. He would follow any conversation where children took him -- into
long discussions about Paw Patrol, learning to diaper a new doll, or just
sitting on the sidewalk to study ladybugs. He was active and engaged until
his passing.
He is survived by his two daughters:
Liz (Dan) Stigall and Kathryn (Rick) Dahlstrom; four siblings: David (Judy)
McNeal, Kristen (Greg) Armstrong, Ty (Roberta) McNeal, and Sherm (Alison)
McNeal; and three granddaughters: Madeleine Stigall (14), Emily Dahlstrom (11)
and Lauren Dahlstrom (8).
Arrangements and cremation are under
the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence,
please visit www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.