Albert John Clark, Jr.

Albert “Al” Clark was born and raised in Anaconda, Montana. He was the first of fourteen children born to Albert & Alice (Kelly) Clark. Al was also known affectionately as “Crabby Abby”. This nickname was given to him by his sister-in-law, Nancy, and he was very proud of that.

Al always kept very busy in life. At the age of 12 he and an uncle wanted to earn some spending money so they started the “Clark’s Christmas Tree” business, which is still in operation on West Third Street. He attended school in Anaconda and was set to graduate from Anaconda Central High School in 1957. A hunting accident at the age of 16 delayed his graduation by a year. He was shot in the neck which left him partially paralyzed on his right side. This put an end to his dream of playing professional baseball.

He loved to watch his grandchildren at any sporting event or activity in which they were involved. Al also enjoyed watching rodeos and traveled every year to Las Vegas to see the National Finals Rodeo.

After high school he worked as a ranch hand at several ranches around Montana, including Helmville, Winston & Philipsburg. While working in Philipsburg in 1963 he met Terry Slovacek and they married in December 1964. The marriage lasted for over 30 years and ended in divorce, but they remained good friends.

In 1966, he went to work for the smelter. He held several positions ranging from Janitor to Lime Kiln Foreman, to Electric Furnace Supervisor. He said his crew cut the power to the electric furnace and the smelter was forever closed.

After the smelter closed, his desire to keep busy led him into the business of raising pigs with his friend, Duane Logan. They were in the pig business together from 1982 to 1984 near Warm Springs, Montana. In 1984 he started working at the Housing Authority of Anaconda where he was the maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 1999. After retirement he grew hay and raised some cattle. Some of his happiest days were spent in the swather cutting hay. Although there was one day that was not so happy. He was cutting hay near Philipsburg and his ride to lunch was late. After waiting way too long for the ride to show up, Al improvised and drove the swather right down the highway to the Sunshine Station and ate lunch. When his ride finally arrived, they witnessed firsthand how fitting his nickname could be.

Al also had a very generous side. He would discreetly mail money to people he thought were in need. He would also loan out his equipment and tools to anybody who asked. He would happily volunteer family members to assist with whatever needed to be done. Even in his personal life, he liked to supervise.

Al is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gene, James Joseph & Billy Clark; sisters Alice Joan Finnegan & Ruth Ann Puccinelli; brother-in-law, Joe Slovacek, nephews Craig Finnegan & Joey Slovacek and niece Sarah Sweeney.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Terry Clark and their three children, John Clark (Tabitha Utz), Valerie Kober (Tim) and Debbie Wixsten (Randy). Albert has nine grandchildren, Jared & Josh Clark; Michael (Mary Wang), Alex (Jasmine Busche) & Andrew (Emma Funk) Kober; and Eric (Whitney), Sean, Travis & Amanda Wixsten. He also has five great grandchildren, Ella & Wyatt Wixsten and Conley, Vincent & Bennett Kober.

He is survived by brother-in-law, Larry Finnegan; siblings, Robert (Nancy) Clark, Mary Lou (Jim) Furaus, Larry (Barbara) Clark, Barbara (Dan) Whittaker, Janice (Tom) Sweeney, Jerry Clark, Susan Clark, Laureen (Rob) Hensley, Pat (Sandy) Domitrovich; sisters-in-law Fran Galvin, Julie Slovacek & Sonja Clark and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12 pm, Saturday, Aprill 11, 2026 at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home followed by interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Anaconda. A reception will follow interment back at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Camp Mak-A Dream, the Anaconda Food Bank or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home have been privileged to care for Albert and his family.