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1953-2024
Clark Dennis Hoopes was born in Salem, Ohio on March 14, 1953, the first child of Glenn and Arlene Hoopes, of Damascus.
A graduate of West Branch High School in 1971, he also graduated Cum Laude from Malone College in 1975 with a BA in Math and Business. At Malone he served as Student Body President, sang in the Chorale, was a member of Sigma Zeta, and served as a Resident Assistant. His professional career included serving as registrar at Malone, as data processor at Ohio Edison, and returning to Malone University as Director of Information Technologies (1996-2012), where he received the Administrator of the Year Award in 2002 and later was named Alumnus of the Year in 2019. There he standardized the operating systems of all the departments and updated their computer, phone, and copier systems so that they could work efficiently and effectively.
Following Malone, Clark served as Assistant Director of the Stark County Auditors' IT Department and as Computer Technician at the Stark County Probate Court.
His volunteer leadership in the larger community included serving at Canton First Friends Church as an Elder, Presiding Clerk, a Sunday school teacher, member of the Finance Committee, and sound technician. He also coached and played on church basketball and softball teams and was instrumental in devising systems of skill development and spiritual formation for youth basketball leagues. He was involved in men's ministries and sang in the choir.
In the Evangelical Friends Church-Eastern Region, Clark served on the Finance Committee and the Pension Board and also as Moderator for the Regional Church Annual Meetings. In retirement, Clark contributed greatly by updating computer systems, improving maintenance procedures, and groundskeeping for the regional church headquarters. Clark served on the Camp Gideon Board, and he also served on the board of the local Market Hills Homeowners Association, most recently as president. He enjoyed singing in the Mount Union Alliance Chorale, Promise Keepers men's choir, and MajesticVoice.
Beyond all other accolades Clark cherished his wife Marva Lee Anderson to whom he was married on July 17, 1976; and their three children, Matthew (Laura), and Scott Hoopes, and Kristi (Doug) Smith, have also blessed them with twelve grandchildren. Family life in the Hoopes home involved love of music and sports and deep commitment to faith and church activities. Marva and Clark were band parents supporting their children in McKinley High School's band and choir programs. The family took trips to the beach, national parks, and to Oregon for extended family reunions. Clark's Reliant K car provided inspiration for his son Matt's band, "Relient K."
The family stayed close to the Hoopes family farm in Damascus, where Clark, his brother, Brian, and sister, Mary, took their children on tractor rides, and enjoyed Pinochle games with Grandma Arlene and other family members. They also stayed close to Marva's parents, Alvin and Lucy Anderson, having dinner with them and brother, Stan's family on Sunday afternoons and also taking several trips to Guatemala, enjoying the fruits of Grandpa Andy's Education Semester Abroad program, offered by Malone.
In recent years, Marva and Clark enjoyed exploring the world on a number of cruises, which gave them the chance to see amazing parts of the world while also deepening their love for each other and for family members and friends that accompanied them.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, Clark passed away peacefully in his Canton home, surrounded by loving family members, succumbed to a two-year bout with aggressive cancer. His valiant fight against cancer was bolstered by his faith in God and the prayers and support of numerous friends and family members. An open house that same day, held at Canton First Friends Church, allowed family and friends to share their love and appreciation for Clark.
Clark is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Arlene Hoopes; and brother-in-law, Dean Egli.
Clark is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marva Hoopes, his three children and 12 grandchildren, by his siblings, Mary Egli, Brian (Susan) Hoopes, and Ralph Hoopes, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held at Reed Funeral Home North Canton Chapel, 801 Pittsburg Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720, on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. and at Canton First Friends Church, 5455 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44714, on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 starting at 10 a.m., with a service to follow at 11 a.m., officiated by Pastor Nathanael Fawcett, and interment at the Damascus Friends Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Malone University Office of Advancement Clark Hoopes/Camp Gideon Fund, 2600 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709. For those wishing to share a memory please visit www.reedfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook.
8/14/24