Clark Russell Emmons was born June 19, 1919 in Lompoc, California to Russell Walter Emmons and Blanche Elizabeth (Leedom) Emmons. He passed away March 13, 2011, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy Cooper Emmons, sons Rusty Emmons (Barb) of Colorado and Ron Emmons (LaDona) of Ione, California, and daughter Shirley Rizzoli (Jimmy) of Lompoc. Clark was grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of nine. He had numerous nieces, nephews, and a multitude of loving friends.

His father died when Clark was very young and he was raised solely by his mother. He attended the First Southern Baptist Church and loved gatherings of family and friends. Earl Calvert took him under his wing and taught him how to hunt and fish, which he loved, and continued doing throughout his life. He cowboyed for numerous ranches all around this country.

He was drafted into the US Army on May 22, 1942 and married Dorothy Cooper on June 14, 1943 in Buzzards Massachusetts, where he was attending radar school. He served in Saipan, Tinean, and the Marshall lslands on December 21, 1943 during WWII and came home on November 29, 1945.

Clark was honorably discharged on Dec 13, 1945. He plastered houses with his father-in-law Harold Cooper, worked on various ranches, and went to work for The Beattie brothers on Artesia Avenue in 1949. In August of 1957, he began working for William Cooper at Rancho La Vina. He worked and resided there until June of 2010. He was an honorary Vaquero in the 1994 Santa Barbara Fiesta and honored as the 2008 Vaquero of the Santa Ynez Historical Society. Both honors Clark was very proud of in his life.

He died peacefully at his daughter and her husband's home in Lompoc, with family members and friends at his side.

Clark was a mentor to many in this world. He taught ropin', ridin', ranchin' and life to all who would hear. His morals and values shaped a foundation of strong friendships, and stronger family. The lessons shared with this countless many will continue on after his passing. He was a husband, father, grandfather...an inspiration and a Hero.

A public graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1pm at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Service will be under the direction of Pastor Ronald Crockett of The Valley's Fountain in Buellton. Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. www.starbucklind.com