My uncle Dave Clark passed away last saturday. He had many health problems, but things were looking good, and he was going to get a new kidney he needed. He was feeling down at one point and I wrote a letter to him, but I never mailed it. It was kind of a pep talk about how he had a good life and many people who cared very much for him including his wife, daughters and grandkids. I also talked about when I was young and my parents were divorcing. Dave took me out real early one morning around San Pedro where I had never been before. We went to the bait shop then around town a bit then to the harbor. We launched his small boat and went fishing. It was still dark and many of the big ships were coming into the harbor. We were right by the lighthouse and it was very foggy so it kept sounding as were the ships. He would let me steer and then he would shout, “Watch out for that ship” and I would not even notice the huge ships right next to us as they moved so lightly. When we got close to them it made me feel real small in the world, but Dave pointed out that we were just as important of a boat as the big cruise ships. That made me feel better and not as small. He told me about my parents and how my dad asked him to tell me the news about them splitting as he was having a tough time just going through it.
He took me to King’s Harbor a few times fishing too. I was never good with the ocean, but Dave made sure I did not get too sea sick, and if I did he took me back in. He was a good fisherman and we usually caught fish. Once I caught a bunch of bonita and barracuda then Dave caught a huge walleye halibut. I was the weirdest thing I had ever seen and huge (about 15 to 20 pounds) with eyes on the side of its head. He took it to the fish market and sold it. We gave my fish to some families looking for fish. I remember thinking how brave he was when he took the hook out of a sculpon fish that had poison spikes. It was the quite times out on the water I will remember. The sun was just coming up, and the water was glassy and calm. That’s the kind of place I picture him at now. With the sun rising to take the chill off of the early morning, and ready to fish.
Dave knew the town around him and had many spots he hung out at like local coffee shops and if he took you with him you would soon see how many friends he had in town. He often spoke exactly what was on his mind. Even if some did not agree with what he might say. He was always very self confident, and very caring about others. He would have the biggest laugh in the room most times and loved to bring everyone together showing that he also had the biggest heart. I will never forget the lessons he taught me. He was great to have as a role model growing up.
