Forrest Denver Clark was born on May 22, 1918 in Springfield, Ohio, and died at 97 on November 28, 2015 in Cedar Hill, Texas. He was raised in Gallipolis, Ohio where he attended High School. In 1943, he joined the Army and was in the famed 3rd Infantry, one of the most decorated divisions in WWII, where he earned a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and several other medals.

After the war, Forrest enjoyed success as a self-made businessman starting with a dry cleaning business and expanding to other ventures in Ohio and West Virginia, including a chain of dry cleaners, a bank, pizza shops, a restaurant, a machine shop, office buildings, and a car wash.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club, the Masons, the Shrine Club, Grace United Methodist Church, Hidden Valley Country Club, and the National Institute of Dry Cleaners. He loved golf, travel, cars, boating and spending time with family and friends.

Forrest lived most of his life in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and was married to Phyllis Pauley until her death in 2001. He had a son, Stephen, who died at age 30, and a daughter, Kay who lives in Point Pleasant today.

On December 31, 2004, at age 86, Forrest married Helga Babetta Smith, a friend who once worked at one of his businesses in the 1960's. They were married in Dallas and took up residence in nearby Cedar Hill, Texas. Helga and Forrest were inseparable and relished their time together. Their many adventures included travels around the world, ballroom dancing, dining, concerts, attending their grandkid's sports and school events, and family gatherings on holidays and special occasions.

Forrest is survived by his wife Helga, his daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Bill Rutherford of Point Pleasant, West Virginia; his granddaughter Lori Rutherford of Roanoke, Virginia; his great granddaughter Caris Cranwell, his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, William Scott and Donna Rutherford of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; his great grandchildren: Erica Rae Rutherford, Elizabeth Kay Rutherford, and Dylan Scott Rutherford; and his great great grandson Easton Jacob Rutherford. Helga's daughter and son-in-law, Tonja and Jeff Millet, of Midlothian, Texas, and their children Christopher Ryan Millet of San Diego, California, and Jackson Wrytor Millet and Savannah Grace Millet of Midlothian, Texas. He was preceded in death by his son Stephen Clark, with whom he will be interred, and his former wife Phyllis Pauley.

Forrest Denver Clark, affectionately known as "Papa Forrest", was a calm, kind and considerate man who inspired high standards in those around him. He had a keen sense of humor, a big smile and a sparkle in his eyes. He was much-loved and has left an enormous impression on those whose lives he touched. We celebrate his life with the hope that he is reveling in the presence of our Lord.

Memorial services will be 2:00 PM. on Sunday December 13, 2015 at the Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral Home 810 2nd. Ave. Gallipolis. Burial will follow in Kirkland Memorial Gardens in Pt. Pleasant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to: The Wounded Warriors Project: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, or to St. Jude Childrens' Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html

An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com