Verle Clark

Verle Robert Clark, 85, went home to be with the Lord on November 12, 2025. He was born on December 10, 1939, to Aaron E. and Mildred Clark on the family farm northwest of Stockton, KS. After his mother and father moved to Palco, he attended school there graduating from Palco High School in 1959. Verle began working at a young age for his father at Clark’s Standard Service Palco, KS and did about every job imaginable at the station, finally settling in as a bulk delivery driver in the “Tank Wagon”, as family members preferred to call it. He also delivered oil for Turnbull Oil of Plainville, KS after his father sold the business in the early 1970’s. Verle was married to Carolyn Elaine Lumpkins on August 12, 1961. To this union two children were born, Guy Lane and Glenda Nevella. After Carolyn’s death in January 1987, he married Lyn-Nell Lowry on October 22, 1988.

Verle was dedicated to his work delivering to farmers and ranchers as well as oilfield leases and drilling rigs. He was well known for his winter diesel blend and his customers relied on him to keep their diesels running through the cold Kansas winters. Verle was an avid cowboy and horseman. He broke horses on the side of his regular job, as well as being called out on a regular basis to rope a cow or a bull that had busted through a fence, or just rounding up cattle so they could be run through the chute for the springtime vaccination. He also showed horses in the Kansas Western Horseman’s Association, traveling across the state going to weekend shows with Carolyn and the two children, winning hundreds of trophies and awards in patterned and racing events. Verle gave his life to Christ in 1979 and became known later as a Cowboy Preacher. He attended church at Caanan Chapel Nazarene Church south of Palco. Later he attended Palco United Methodist Church where he was a member for many years. He also was a lay pastor at Kirwin United Methodist Church in the early 2000’s. He and Lyn-Nell eventually moved to Rose Hill, back into her former residence north of town, where her late husband and children had previously lived, and attended Rose Hill United Methodist Church and eventually moved into the town of Rose Hill.

Verle is survived by his wife, Lyn-Nell of WaKeeney, KS; sister, Wanda Marshall( Tex) Thronton, CO; brother, Ivan Clark (Rita) Morrison, CO; brother-in-law, Melvin Kats (Bonnie) Long Island, KS; son, Guy Clark (Kay) Hutchinson, KS; daughter, Glenda Parsons (Allen) Lawson, MO; stepdaughter, Teresa Schmidt (Myron) Olathe, KS; stepson, Tod Lowry (Kathy) Wichita, KS; stepson, Trevor Lowry (Christina) WaKeeney, KS; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Verle was preceded in death by wife, Carolyn Clark; father, Aaron Clark; mother, Mildred Clark; sister, Lavon Kats; daughter-in-law, Ellen Clark; stepson, Tomie Lowry and wife Kathy; and stepdaughter, Tabitha Lowry.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby, KS 67037. Funeral service is 10:30am on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Rose Hill United Methodist Church, 19551 SW Butler Rd, Rose Hill, KS 67133. Interment to follow service at the Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Rose Hill United Methodist Church, in memory of Verle Clark.