Elbert Eugene “Gene” Clark passed away Aug. 1, 2024, at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by loving wife of 62 years, Virginia “Ginny” Clark (nee Stiegemeier); parents, Horace and Rena (Fortune) Clark; brothers, Horace Jr, Leon, and Raymond Clark; sisters, Vermelle Landry, Louise Pitre, and June Clark; as well as 71 first-cousins and numerous friends, and business associates.
He was born Dec. 11, 1928, in Newport, Ark., then spent much of his early childhood in Gibson, La. He graduated from high school in Newport, Ark., in 1946, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served as a flight navigator, an experience which took him throughout the U.S., Europe and North Africa. In 1952, after six years in the Air Force, he enrolled in Parks College (St. Louis University). By day, he was a student at Parks College and worked as a second-shift driver for the U.S. Post Office in East St. Louis, Ill. In 1955, he graduated with a BS in airport administration, attributing this accomplishment to the tremendous opportunity offered by the GI Bill. While a college senior, he met Virginia “Ginny” Stiegemeier on a blind date and eight months later, they were married in Aug. 1955.
After graduation he worked as a salesman for Ozark Airlines. His business career “took off” in 1960 when he was hired in the Purchasing Department at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, a position that introduced him to the printing industry. Among other duties, he was responsible for buying various printing and graphics services needed to support the Mercury and Gemini rocket programs. In the early 1960s he met and ultimately formed a business partnership with two young entrepreneurs, Don Lenauer and Will Noatch. In 1965, they partnered to form Custom Printing Company in Ferguson, and started growing the business.
Custom Printing continued to experience steady growth after moving to much larger quarters in Owensville, in 1970. By the mid 1980s, Custom Printing had continued to expand and added printing plants in Frederick, Md., and Ft. Worth, Texas. By 1990, the combined employment was nearly 1,000 employees, and Custom Printing was consistently one of the largest suppliers of printing services to the Federal Government for many years.
The printing facility in Owensville continues as Lakeside Book Company and remains a major employer in Gasconade County. Perhaps, both Gene and Don’s greatest professional pride was having played a role in expanding the business into a significant source of employment for the community.
After 25 years as President of Custom Printing Company, Gene and Ginny retired to Frederick, Md., and later moved to Richmond, Va. He enjoyed a quiet retirement with Ginny, going for daily walks, woodworking, boating and spending time with his grandkids.
He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Bert (Michelle) Clark of Ladue, Drew (Clarine) Clark of Castle Rock, Colo., and Scott (Jeanne) Clark of Newburyport, Mass.; grandchildren, Rachel (Pat) Grady of Spokane, Wash., Byron (Alexis) Clark of Ballwin, Sam Clark of Boston, Mass., Sara Clark of New York, N.Y., Julie Clark of Burlington, Vt., and Nolan Clark of Ladue; and great-grandson Hudson Clark of Ballwin.
The Clark family is hosting a Celebration of Life for Gene Clark Sept. 15, from 2-5 p.m. in the Festhalle of the Hermannhof Inn in Hermann. The former employees of Custom Printing, friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.
