Kurtiss Clark

Kurtiss Clark was born June 3, 1967, in Urbana, Illinois to the union of Milton Clark and Glenda Joyce Godbolt-Clark. Young, Kurtiss “Chuckie” Clark was a brainiac as a young child who loved reading and collecting comics, watching the Pittsburg Steelers, and was the biggest Star Wars fan. Kurtiss joined ROTC in the eleventh grade and graduated from Champaign Central High School, in Champaign, Illinois in 1985. He joined and left for the U.S. military one month later. 

Kurtiss Clark enlisted in 1985 to Bravo Battery in Hanau, Germany. After serving, he transitioned to the Army Reserve, where he served as a paralegal NCO. Following the attacks on 9/11, Major Clark was mobilized as a Legal Assistance NCO at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 2004, Major Clark accepted a position with the 100th Missile Defense Brigade as a Paralegal NCO. In 2007, he commissioned as an officer and went on to serve as a Current Operations Officer with Bravo Crew at the 100th Missile Defense Brigade. He then took command of Detachment 1 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. In 2018, Major Clark became the Senior Tactical Director for Bravo Crew in the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Ft Greely, Alaska. He joined Bravo Crew, bringing with him a wealth of experience. His mentality for developing soldiers made Bravo Crew the most sought after for training recent GMD course graduates. His exemplary performance, high standards, focus, and dedication to training were essential in Bravo Crew being awarded Top Crew for Alaska Missile Defender of the Year in 2019.

He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University as well as a Master’s degree in Project Management from Columbia Southern University.

Kurtiss was more than just a dedicated soldier, but a caring husband, loving father, awesome brother, supportive uncle, and the best friend that anyone could ask for. Kurtiss loved every moment he spent with his children. He enjoyed going to Comic Con, watching anime, and playing the card game Magic the Gathering with his children Jaron, Hailey, and Sidney. He was a mega nerd who enjoyed playing games like Wizard 101 online with his son Jaron. When Kurtiss was not with his children, he would often visit his sister and her family in Georgia. His last few visits in Georgia consisted of an overwhelming amount of sweet potato pie, walks on the Silver Comet Trail followed with blisters, spending time at the fair, and going toe for toe in a game of Song Quiz or Heads Up.

Major Kurtiss Charles Clark departed this life on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska. He leaves behind his wife, Cheryl Clark; son, Jaron Clark; and two daughters, Hailey Clark,and Sidney Clark; daughter in law, Katy Clark; sister, Lisa Pierce; and brother-in-law, Jason Pierce. He also leaves behind family members and dear friends.

Major Kurtiss Clark was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Glenda Clark.

A Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 Noon Saturday March 18, 2023 at Free Will Baptist Church 1402 W. Eads St, Urbana. Eulogist: Bishop Jimmie O. Holmes. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow after Woodlawn Cemetery.

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