Gary Leon Clarkson
May 23, 1938 - July 4, 2024
Gary Leon Clarkson, 86, departed this life on July 4, 2024, at the La Plata Nursing Home in La Plata, Missouri.
Born May 23, 1938, on the family farm east of LaPlata, Missouri, the son of Ernest and Lucille (McClanahan) Clarkson.
On September 17, 1961, he was united in marriage to Donna Coy who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Terry and wife Tresa, and Scott and wife Bonnie; grandchildren, Timothy and wife Jessie, Brent and wife Amanda, Alexandria “Lex” Kilgore and husband Mike; great grandchildren, Cohen, Atalie, Gunner, Mikaela, Oliver, Liam, Haylee, Emma, Cash and Jaydn; brother Duane (Jolene) Clarkson; sisters-in-law, Sandra Lay and Karen Osborn; brother-in-law, Carlos (Karen) Coy; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, brother Ivan (Gail) Clarkson, and grandson, Nicholas Clarkson.
Gary graduated from LaPlata High School with the class of 1955. He chose to continue to farm alongside his father and brothers on their farm east of LaPlata while increasing his cattle herd and purchasing land with his wife Donna by his side. They spent their 62 years of married life building a business to pass to Terry and Scott and families to continue. Their family represented Macon County as State Fair Farm Family and he and Donna were recognized as Outstanding Conservation Farmers in Macon County.
Gary was a proud 20 year 4-H club member, showing Polled Hereford cattle at the Macon County Fair and Missouri State Fair and the American Royal. He won the state, and National 4-H Skilled Tractor Driving Contest. Gary continued to serve as 4-H Beef and Tractor Project leader throughout his sons 4-H years. He felt 4-H offered so many opportunities for youth not available in any other place open to them. One of his proudest honors was being recognized by receiving the State 4-H Alumni Recognition Award. He served on the Macon County Fair Board and University Extension Advisory Board.
Gary served his country in the Missouri National Guard; was a member and Deacon at LaPlata First Baptist Church; served on the LaPlata R-II School Board; the local MFA exchange and MFA Oil board; and the Federal Land Bank Board (Farm Credit) of Northeast Missouri. He joined the LaPlata Lions Club and was privileged to serve as District Governor of the Missouri Lions District 23. At the urging of his Uncle Burl he became a member of the LaPlata Masonic Lodge and later joined El Kadir Shrine Club of Kirksville; Scottish Rite of Columbia; and Moila Shrine, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Gary enjoyed most working side by side with his wife, sons, and the summers when the grandkids would come for a visit, teaching them the skills needed to operate a farm, which they continue to use to this day.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Entombment will be in the La Plata Community Mausoleum at a later date.
Memorials in memory of Gary may be made to La Plata Community Mausoleum, Hospice of Northeast Missouri, or La Plata Nursing Home Activities Fund. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.
