Daniel Joseph Clark

Daniel Joseph Clark, 63, of Owensboro died Tuesday afternoon, May 23, 2017, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital.

Danny was born on March 7, 1954, to Martha and James H. Clark Jr. and was the second of three sons. He was a lifelong Owensboro resident, graduating from Owensboro High School and attending Brescia College.

Danny lived life to its fullest and never failed to overcome any challenge. The love of his life was his wife of nearly 44 years, Debbie Thompson Clark, whom he married on June 9, 1973. He was equally devoted to their three daughters, four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Danny spent much of his career at Pinkerton Tobacco Co. and Swedish Match, where he was known as a kind and fair boss – even if you were a blood relative. He took pride in his work, and formed several friendships among his coworkers that continued to his final day.

An avid cyclist, Danny and his riding buddies for years criss-crossed the backroads of rural Kentucky, sometimes more than 100 miles at a time. He was also involved in establishing bike paths and cycling safety throughout Owensboro. Though he had road bikes, his favorite was a recumbent cycle, on which he could be spotted most weekends.

Danny also enjoyed annual trips for several years with some of his close friends to the boundary waters area of northern Minnesota, where the group would spend a week or two in the wilderness, completely cut off from civilization and cell phone signals.

Just weeks after he took early retirement in 2010, Danny was bothered by a bump on the back of his tongue. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophopharyngeal cancer. His doctor was blunt about his chances, and told him he would face an ordeal in fighting the cancer. Instead of letting the disease get the best of him, Danny saw it as a challenge to overcome. He told his doctor to "give me everything you've got" because he wasn't finished living.

From the first day, he started writing a blog about his journey, "Dan's Got the Big C," which became an inspiration for people battling cancer who never even met him. Through his blog, Danny documented every step of the painful process, from radiation treatments to chemotherapy, from excruciating pain and illness to coping with life on a feeding tube. He also told how the experience made him appreciate the small things in life.

Even during the most strenuous of his cancer treatments, Danny pushed himself to work out at the HealthPark, or at least to walk up and down the street. He wasn't about the sit back in his recliner, feel sorry for himself, or lose this fight. He later said the ordeal taught him to appreciate everyone and everything in life.

Besides his wife, Danny is survived by three daughters, Leslie Avery of Owensboro; Kelli (Devin) McKnight of Owensboro; and Ashley (Chad) Costello of Bardstown. He was "Papaw" to grandchildren Madalyn Story, Ethan Avery, Makenna McKnight and Kaden McKnight of Owensboro; and step-grandchildren, Kinley, Caden and Colton Costello of Scottsville. Danny is also survived by brothers Greg Clark of Owensboro and Chuck Clark of Bowling Green; and scores of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. And his granddog, Sammi Dog – there are other dogs in the family, but Sammi Dog was his clear favorite.

Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, where prayers will be led by Father Tony Jones at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Parish with Father Tony presiding. Friends may call beginning at 8 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at a later date at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in St. Joseph, Kentucky.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Carmel Home, 2501 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303. Condolences to the family may be placed at www.glenncares.com.