Clinton Cray Marken

Clint (74) passed away peacefully Saturday, April 25, 2020, at his home of 30 years in Valley Mills, TX with his loving and devoted wife, Diane, by his side. He fought a brave, yearlong battle with cancer. Clint was born in Hampton, IA to Gideon (Gid) Jr and Cleone Marken. He lived on an agricultural and livestock farm in Chapin until 1960 when, as a freshman, his family moved to Ames, IA where he graduated from high school in 1963. Clint was always athletic, lettering in football and baseball. Clint earned a baseball scholarship to Kirkland Community College from which he graduated from in 1965. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force which included two tours in Okinawa, Japan during the Vietnam War. After mustering out of the Air Force in 1969, Clint completed his college at Iowa State University in Ames earning a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. The son of a farmer, Clint never strayed far from agriculture throughout his entire working career and life. His honesty and integrity were ingrained in him from an early age. The "What you see, is what you get" individual is what attracted Diane to Clint that lead to their marriage on May 19, 1979. Clint and Diane's 40 years together were always spent in rural America, starting with the 80-acre farm in Hampton they purchased from his maternal grandparents. They never farmed the land but enjoyed the country life. Clint worked as an agricultural representative to support his love for horses. He earned his own money to buy his first horse, doing the typical chores required of a farming family. He owned, raised and showed American Quarter horses his entire life. In 1990, they moved from Hampton to Valley Mills, TX where they bought acreage with the facilities and pastures to house, care for, ride and train his American Quarter horses. Clint loved showing his American Quarter horses in competitive shows. He was an old fashion cowboy with a strong work ethic. A man of his word, he would always be available to offer a neighbor a helping hand. Clint was a determined individual who some may have considered a stubborn old "coot". He believed in facing challenges with the attitude "I'll go over it, under it, around it but I will get thru it!" Clint and Di have been longtime members of Top Hand Cowboy Church of Valley Mills. Clint had been an active member of several notable associations, including American Quarter Horse Assoc, NRA, Iowa State Alumni Assoc, Texas Aerial Assoc, Texas Plant Protection Assoc, Supporters of Cattle Barons, Relay for Life and several Veteran's associations. In addition to his wife Diane, Clint is survived by his two daughters by a previous marriage - Melanie Jackson and her children David and Darcie of Effingham, NH, and Brandi (Leon) Vachon and their children Skylar and Brody of Sabattus, ME and his brothers Gideon (Andy) III (Jeannine) and James (Linda) Marken both of Sunnyvale, CA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Clint is preceded in death by his parents. Clint requested that no services be held. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions in his memory go to the Top Hand Cowboy Church, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Clinton Cray Marken

August 2, 1945 - April 25, 2020