from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — John Allen Klark, 63, died Jan. 13, 2012, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Mr. Klark was born at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, N.H., the eldest of four children of Winthrop W. and Thelma (Beaton) Klark. He attended schools in Woodsville and graduated from Woodsville High School in 1967.

In January 1968 Mr. Klark enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and also served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter scout observer. After leaving the Army, he attended flight school in Colorado and earned his fixed wing pilot’s license.

For 30 years he was employed as a mail carrier, working mainly at the Woodsville Post Office.

On September 25, 1998, he married Janet Wyckoff. They were together for 10 years until her death as a result of a motor vehicle accident. During this time Mr. Klark became the Eastern Region Representative and later the Director of the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The Klarks worked tirelessly in this endeavor, met many wonderful people and enjoyed serving the Lord in this way. After Janet’s death, a CHHA college scholarship fund was established in her name and this fund continues to provide financial assistance to worthy college students who are affiliated with the world of harness racing. This was a project near and dear to Mr. Klark’s heart and it is the family’s hope that it can continue.

For a brief time, Mr. Klark also raised and raced Standardbreds.

He is survived by his parents, Winthrop and Thelma; children, Lori (Eric) Maxim and Scott (Margie); grandchildren, Mya Maxim, Kolby Maxim, Lilli and Leah; sisters, Joanne (Rod) Mann, Amy (Allen) Wright and Lindsay (Butch) Trombley; stepchildren, Ben Cadreact, Gabe Cadreact and Jacob Cadreact; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 19) at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday (Jan. 20) at Ricker Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Menard officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Janet Klark Scholarship Fund, Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, 157 N. Main St., Salem, NH 03079 or the Grafton County Nursing Home Association Activities Fund, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, No. Haverhill, NH 03774.