Raleigh Dean Clark, 83, of Eldon, died January 11, 2024 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
He was born June 19, 1940 in Ottumwa to Junior Orton and Frances Coffin Clark. He married Dixie Lea Derby October 31, 1980.
A resident of Ottumwa most of his life, Raleigh moved to Eldon when he married Dixie. He served in the US Navy for 4 years, worked at John Morrell & Co. for 10 years and was a sanitation supervisor at Hormel, Excel and Cargill, retiring in 2001.
Raleigh enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds and classic cars. He was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. He loved mushroom and arrowhead hunting, watching M.A.S.H. and listening to music from the 50s.
Surviving is his wife, Dixie; daughter, Kibbon (Ray) Taylor of Ottumwa; a grandson, Jaden Roberts, Raleigh’s shining star; sister, Denise (Ed) Eakins of Ottumwa; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Gene Shoemaker; and sister, Susan Billings.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 16th at Reece Funeral Home with military honors conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.
Graveside services and burial will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 16th at Agency Cemetery with Pastor Mark Clark officiating.
Memorials may be made to the family.
