Andrew (Andy) Clark III, born December 10, 1944, of Oskaloosa, Iowa passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026 at the age of 81.
He was an entertainer in every sense of the word. Andy lived a fascinating life filled with music, race cars, and friends, and he was a gifted musician, composer, and storyteller. A native of Alva, Oklahoma, Andy graduated from Alva High School in 1963, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern State (Oklahoma) in 1967, and spent 4 years as chief arranger and featured trombonist and drummer with the U.S. Air Force “CONAC BAND”.
In 1970 he married Janan Watson in Warner Robbins, Georgia. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1971, they relocated to the Wichita, Kansas area where he served as the band director for the Rose Hill Public Schools. In 1976 he resigned his teaching position to focus full time on his growing music publishing business, Norman Lee Publishing, and his 15-piece big band, “Andy Clark & the KLEO Orchestra”. In 1986 he co-wrote Funky Winkerbean’s Homecoming a two-hour stage musical based on the popular comic strip Funky Winkerbean by Tom Batiuk. In 1988, he joined the C.L. Barnhouse Company in Oskaloosa, Iowa, beginning a 30 plus year chapter that would define the rest of his professional life. There he helped select, edit, write, and develop music for marching, concert, and jazz bands, eventually retiring as CEO/President.
As a composer and arranger, Andy wrote more than 300 band music compositions. His music, performed by generations of musicians and students, remains part of his enduring legacy.
Andy was never short for words, and his outgoing, fun loving personality made him the center of attention wherever he went. When not writing or playing music, he was an avid reader, storyteller, and sports fan, but above all else he loved sprint car racing. Since moving to Iowa he spent nearly every Saturday night of the summer at Knoxville Raceway, was a long time Board member and former President of the Board of Directors for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. The dichotomy of his love for dirt sprint car racing and the music industry reflects Andy’s unique interests and personality.
It is impossible to fully capture the influence Andy had on his friends and family. His many friends will remember his incredible sense of humor and exuberance for life. But perhaps his greatest achievement was his dedication to his family. Married to his beloved wife Janan for over 55 years, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. While the family mourns his passing, they also celebrate the profound impact he had on so many lives for so many years.
Andy was preceded in death by his parents Andy Clark Jr and Jean (Potts) Clark. He is survived by his loving wife, Janan Clark, son Brandon Clark, daughters Ashley (Ted) Lewis, Lynnette (Eddie) Crews, grandchildren Theo Lewis, Naomi Lewis, Clark Lewis, Toby Lewis, Todd Gilmartin, Megan Gilmartin, and great granddaughter Palmer O’Neil. He is also survived by his sister Jan (Robert) Miller and three nephews.
In lieu of a traditional memorial service, the family invites all who knew Andy to celebrate his life with music, stories, food, and fellowship which will be held on June 6, 2026 at the Central United Methodist Church from 1:30-4pm.
Memorial donations can be made to Serenity House (Oskaloosa, Iowa), the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum (Knoxville, Iowa), or the Oskaloosa Municipal Band.
