William Lon Clark

William Lon Clark, 74, passed away peacefully at home September 17, 2013 surrounded by his loving family.  Lon was born September 9, 1939 to Frank and Juanita Clark in Mineral Wells, Texas.  He grew up around Palo Pinto County and spent many hours of his childhood on Lake Possum Kingdom fishing, hunting, camping, and water skiing.  He “met his million-dollar baby in a five- and ten-cent store” when they were introduced by his sister who worked with her.  Lon married Mary Eva Gilmore on December 20, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Perrin, Texas. They started their life together in Jacksboro, and ultimately moved to Bridgeport, Texas to raise their family. After a career in the oil and gas industry, Lon and Mary moved to Weatherford, Texas where he started Bravomat Mail Service. He sold that business and retired in 2004.
Lon spent many years both working and taking care of the family.  He always made sure his girls were well-fed and properly churched while Mary worked long hours at Bridgeport Hospital and completed nursing school.  From working Friday night concessions for the Mighty Marching Maroon Band, performing and working backstage at “The Mamas and Papas Review,” bringing Santa Claus to life for friends and family, creating Easter Sunday pancakes in the shapes of bunnies (complete with colored Easter eggs), to driving to and from weekly dance and gymnastics lessons Lon continued to be an active father in his girls’ lives.  As a grandfather of two special needs grandsons, he spent considerable time and resources supporting the Weatherford Special Olympics teams.  He also loved hearing his granddaughters and great-granddaughters sing and play their instruments. With his encouragement, they all developed a passion for performing music, not only for their grandparents, but for anyone who would listen.  Lon will always be remembered for his devotion to family and friends.  He was the kind of man who would give the last of what he had to those he felt needed it more.
Lon is preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Johnathan Stephan Peyton.  He is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Mary Clark; three daughters: Debra Peyton, Terri Thompson and husband Timothy Thompson, all of Weatherford, Texas, and Tina Pulley and husband Paul Pulley of Round Rock, Texas; seven grandchildren: William Peyton, Austin Peyton and wife Windy Dawn Peyton, Melissa Thompson Rhine and husband Clayton Rhine, all of Weatherford, Texas, Ashley Thompson Hogan and husband Jeffery Hogan of Killeen, Texas, and Marissa, Louisa, and Rebecca Pulley, all of Round Rock, Texas; two great-grandchildren: Hynlee Grayce Rhine of Weatherford, Texas and Baeleigh Annelise Hogan of Killeen, Texas; and one sister: Dorothy Clark Cranford and husband Weldon Cranford of Perrin, Texas.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff of VITAS for their compassionate care and to two very special ladies, Shelly and Nora, from IntegraCare for their loving kindness over the last few weeks. 

A celebration of Lon’s life will be held in his memory
at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10:00 am
with a reception immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers,
the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Cook’s Childrens
Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, American Heart Association, or Emmanuel
Baptist Church of Weatherford, Texas.