
Class of 1948
1948 Maroon Spotlight
Patsy Studebaker
Band 45 – 48.
1948 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Patsy Studebaker, 17, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Studebaker of 304 Twelfth street, plans to attend business college next fall.
She was born June 11, 1930, in Perry and has always attended local schools. Out-of-school activities have included work in Order of Rainbow for Girls and Westminister fellowship. Patsy has been a member of the band since 1945, served on the library staff in 1944-45, belonged to the Student Council in 1944-45, has been a Y-Teen member two years, is a Spanish student, and belonged to Teen Town in 1945-46.
Patsy June (Studebaker) Clark
June 11, 1930 – September 21, 2023
Patsy June Clark (née Studebaker) passed away peacefully at age 93 on September 21, 2023.
Pat was born and raised in Perry, OK, and grew up surrounded by family, including an older sister, Peggy, and three younger brothers, Ralph, Don, and Ken, as well as an extended network of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins remaining dear to her throughout her life.
Pat was a proud member of the Studebaker clan, fascinated by the family history; in the ’80s, she refurbished a 1960 Studebaker convertible to honor the family industry. Her interest further led her to travel to the birthplace of the Studebaker family in Germany, even meeting a few distant cousins along the way.
After high school graduation in 1948, Pat left Perry, OK, for the “big city,” residing first in Oklahoma City, OK, and then Denver, CO, where she raised her daughters. She eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay area.
Moving to California was a dream come true. She enjoyed a career as an executive assistant for NEA and Rossmore, finally retiring in 1995. Pat relished in all the best that San Francisco had to offer – fine dining, music, art, and close proximity to an international airport, which allowed her to indulge in her passion for travel and adventure. In her retirement, Pat traveled to destinations such as Alaska, Canada, Greece, Scandinavia, China, Japan, France, England, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The Bay Area is also where she met, and then years later, reconnected with Ward Clark. Ward joyfully spoiled Pat in her love for the finer things in life, becoming her constant travel and leisure companion. They eventually eloped in a surprise ceremony at the Redwood City Courthouse on her 80th birthday and lived together in San Mateo until his death. Pat left San Mateo and re-settled in Pleasanton, CA, to be nearer to family. She often said there was no finer town than Pleasanton (other than, of course, her hometown of Perry, OK). Pat is preceded in death by her cherished siblings and her beloved husband, Ward Clark. She is survived by two daughters, Debra Reddig and Donna Jochimsen, as well as three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pat was one of the Pioneers at Stoneridge Creek, residing there since 2013. She was a Bocce Ball champion, an avid Mexican Train player, she loved the Lady’s Tea and many other celebrations and events at Stoneridge. Sunday brunch was a particular favorite of hers as she was able to enjoy visiting with her many friends.
She loved to laugh, lived life with passion, and cherished the time she could spend with friends and family.
No service will be held. Donations in her name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.