Mark S. Clawson

Mark Stephen Clawson, age 97, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2024 surrounded by family members. He was born October 22, 1926, to John Timothy and Bessie (Stewart) Clawson. They lived on a farm outside Guymon, Oklahoma, and moved into town after the Dust Bowl. He and his siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse with 9 students including two of his siblings of which and he was the youngest. In high school he went to an all-boys Catholic boarding school, Price College, in Amarillo, Texas where he learned Latin, played football and basketball.

He joined the US Coast Guard at age 17 and served during WWII. He was aboard the USS Gen GF Hodges (AF-144) for his service time, logging 90,000 miles at sea carrying troops to the Pacific Theatre, and back from India and Italy. He was discharged after Japan surrendered. He moved to Wichita Kansas to study accounting at WSU. He was a cost accountant for several companies in Wichita, settling at Cessna Aircraft.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother JT Clawson, and sisters Anastasia, Agnes, Madonna, Frances and Catherine. On November 15, 1948, he married Darlene Joyce Delano. Their romance began at the Guymon skating rink, they were a loving couple and celebrated over 65 years together. For 50 years they owned Clawson and Associates, an accounting practice they established in 1957 in Derby, Kansas, where they resided. They enjoyed many friends and neighbors and especially family gatherings and family reunions.

Mark was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus at St Mary’s in Derby where the family attended church since 1955 when they moved to Derby. They moved to Derby because of St Mary’s Parish and Catholic School. He played golf and loved to travel with Darlene, most times with the kids and grandchildren in tow. They also traveled to attend USCG reunions. At age 91 Mark went to Washington DC for 3 days on the Kansas Honor Flight.

Dad collected photos and mementos of his life, he frequented Facebook always updated on the social highway, he emailed and was a natural with texting. He cared for everyone he ever met and remembered their name and family and he prayed for us all, especially after Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia. The care and love he provided for her was an outward sign of his lifelong dedication and undying belief in God. He taught us to “Give it up to God”. He was independent until most recently when he relocated to Homestead of Derby assisted living where he met up with friends he had made along the way and of course, making many new friends!

Darlene predeceased Mark in May of 2014, along with their grandsons, Brian Barkley and Joe Clawson. They are survived by nine children, Debbie (Mike) Titus, Lauren Lambert, Kim (Cliff) Foster, Liz (Jere) Burnett, John (Laura Smith), Mary (Bret) Houston, Stephen, Mike, and Amy (Gus) Torres; 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and he has loved and enjoyed 7 step-grandchildren, and a few remaining cousins, with many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life includes Visitation at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Friday May 31st 4-6PM, Rosary June 1st at 10AM and Funeral Mass 10:30AM St Mary’s in Derby. In Lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St Mary’s Parish School or to VFW Post 7253 in Derby, KS.