Thomas Sterling Clark, Jr., age 78, of O'Fallon, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, 1 August 2012.

Tom was born 30 January 1934 and grew up in the farming communities of Bradgate and Rolfe, Iowa. He attended Iowa State College where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, played saxophone in the Iowa State band, and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in History. He later had an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He studied at the University of Iowa, University of California at Berkley, and Central Michigan University earning a Master of Arts degree in Personnel Management.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1957, launching a twenty-nine year military career where he served as a Master Navigator and flew throughout the world on the C-124 Globemaster, C-118 Liftmaster, and C-141 Starlifter transport aircraft. Tom's assignments included Harlingen Air Force Base (AFB), Texas; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Hill AFB, Utah; Lowry AFB, Colorado; Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of South Vietnam; McGuire AFB, New Jersey; and Scott AFB, Illinois, where he retired. He concluded his United States Air Force career at the rank of Colonel having earned numerous military decorations including the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

In his second career, Tom became an Associate Vice President and Financial Advisor for Dean Witter Reynolds, which later became Morgan Stanley. He valued the many friends and associates made during his seventeen years with the firm.

Tom was a member of the First United Methodist Church, O'Fallon, Illinois and an active member of the church Chancel Choir. Other memberships included Grace Masonic Lodge in Laurens, Iowa and The Military Officers' Association of America. He enjoyed gardening, especially cultivating roses, was an avid reader, and loved music. He was an enthusiastic sportsman who enjoyed golfing, hunting pheasant in the cornfields of Iowa, watching baseball and football, and fishing when vacationing at Lake Okoboji, Iowa.

Tom was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He blessed and enriched the lives of everyone he met with his quick wit, brilliant mind, and loyal friendship. He was "One Helluva Guy."

Memorial donations may be made to O'Fallon First United Methodist Church (www.offumc.org) or Honor Flight Network (www.honorflight.org).

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Thomas Sterling Clark, and his mother, Ione A. Clark, née Hynds.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Le Clark, née Nelson; his daughter, Wendy (Douglas) Gibson and grandsons Douglas and Robert of Los Altos, California; his son Colonel Thomas S. (Amelia) Clark III, USMC and grandchildren Caroline Elliott, née Clark, (Bradley) and Thomas IV, of Charleston, South Carolina; and his son Christopher (Kara) Clark, and identical twin granddaughters Tegan and Ailla of Glenview, Illinois. He is also survived by a brother, Gary M. (Sue) Clark and family of Bettendorf, Iowa.

Visitation: Friends may call after 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012, at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church.

Funeral: Memorial Service with full military honors will begin at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012, at the church, with Rev. Ron Dickinson officiating.