Obituaries

Elton (Tony) E. Clark was born in Sherman, Texas, on January 18, 1935, to E. E. Clark and Ada Ruth (Jackson) Clark. After graduating from Sherman High School in 1953, he attended Tarleton State University and graduated from North Texas State University. Prior to graduating, he sold his '47 Chevy Club Coupe that he called the "screaming gleaming green demon," in which he had installed a humongous GMC truck motor, so he could buy an engagement ring for his "greatest living American dream girl," Shirley Smith.

Upon graduating from NTSU, Elton received his commission as an officer in the United States Air Force. Within weeks, he received orders to report for active duty at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY. Prior to leaving, he married his fiancée, Shirley, on July 16, 1957 in Celina, Texas, so she could go with him. After leaving the Air Force, he worked for Pacific Mutual Finance in Denver, CO, where his oldest daughter, Elna, was born.

Upon his father's retirement, Tony returned to Sherman to work in the family business, Clark Equipment Company, with his brother, Donald J. Clark. He also enjoyed a hobby of building and racing Formula V racing cars, which was a new race class established by the "Sports Car Club of America." This new class required using only Volkswagen components. He raced his Formula V car in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Elton and Shirley's second daughter, Maurie, was born in 1962. Over the next several years, he focused on growing his business and helping his wife raise and educate his girls.

When he retired after 30 years, Elton devoted his time to his passion for Lotus sports cars that he had lovingly collected, restored and eventually raced with his partner Dave Sauls.

In later years, he converted his auto workshop into a meeting place for a group of friends lovingly known as "The Geezers." They met once a week for over 20 years to solve all the problems of the world.

Elton was preceded in death by his parents, E. E. & Ada Clark, his brother Don Clark and sister Margaret Carson. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shirley of 64 years, his brother-in-law William Smith, his daughters Elna Singleton and Maurie Knuppel (and husband Jeff), his grandchildren: Emily Rodriguez, Laci Ames, Lauren Urrea and Matthew Knuppel, and great grandchildren, Adrianna, Lucas and Alexia Urrea, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sherman, Texas on January 15, 2022 at 11am. A reception will be held following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Lisa Perkins will officiate. Condolences can be registered online at www.dannelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County.