Clark R. Slattery J.R.

Clark was born in Portland, Oregon to Lola and Clark R Slattery Senior. His dad was in the construction business building logging roads in western Washington and Oregon. The job usually lasted a year and when the road job was completed, they moved to another area to build another road. The roads were usually logging roads. Because of this Clark went to a different school for the first eight grades.

The family oved to Elmer City, Wash., where he attended the Nespelem High School for all 4 years. He graduated on May 27, 1941. After graduation he went to work on the Grand Coulee Dam.

On April 23, 1943, he joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego. He was assigned to the USS Orea ship. Most of his time was in Australia and New Guinea. He was discharged on Feb. 13, 1946, as a torpedo man. After spending some time in San Francisco, he decided to move back to the Grand Coulee Dam area. This is where he met the love of his life (Freida Cowan). Ms. Cowan was a teacher at the Coulee Dam grade school. They were married 66 years before Freida passed away in 2015.

Clark learned his skills becoming a shovel operator and then moved to the big cranes used to build dams and bridges. He worked on Chief Joseph Dam in Washington, Brownlee's Dam, Oxbow Dam and Hells Canyon in Oregon. Clark had a chance to work on a large suspension bridge in Lisbon, Portugal. His family moved with him and spent two years. Everyone loved it.

The next adventure took him to Baudry Dam near Metaline Falls Wash. When this dam was complete, he decided to go back to Grand Coulee and work on Grand Coulee Dam. This is where he retired.

Clark loved the Grand Coulee Dam area where he had many friends and acquaintances. He loved to hunt and fish in the area.

Clark is survived by his son Mike and wife Judi and daughter Diane. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Steve (Jr), Coreen; Kevin Padraic and Joe, plus four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on April 20 at 10 a.m. at the Greenwood Memoria Terrace in Spokane, Wash. It will be a graveside service.

Dad was also known for his sharp wit and quick mind.

We will miss that dearly.