Wendell "Clark" Atkinson, age 82, passed away on December 7, 2025, in his home and surrounded by his friends and family.

Clark lived an adventurous life filled with purpose and passion. Born on May 15, 1943, he grew up in Preston, Idaho, but then ventured to Montana with a schoolmate the first chance he could get after graduating high school in 1961. With only $35 in his pocket, he managed to stop in Helena and, in a remarkable series of events, ended up employed in a line of work he would find to be his lifelong passion: ranching.

Ranching introduced Clark not only to his future wife, Phyllis, but to an opportunity to live out his western dreams. He spent his most memorable years working for Sieben Ranch, where he made many lifelong friends. He came to know and love the land he worked on and had stories that spanned each hill and valley. Between wildlife encounters and close calls with death, humorous herders and runaway livestock, these stories are what kept the dinner-table conversations alive for years to come. He even enlisted as a "weekend warrior" in the National Guard for six years during the Vietnam War.

Clark married Phyllis in 1966 and though they divorced for a brief while, they remarried in 1985 and stayed devoted ever since. Phyllis was his "sweetheart," you'd hear him say, and the two spent countless years laughing, traveling, and enjoying time with their close-knit family and friends.

After retiring from full-time ranching in the 1990s, Clark found purpose driving school buses and connecting with kids from all walks of life. He especially loved working with children with disabilities.

Above all, Clark was a caregiver. In each area of his life, whether it was herding sheep and tending camps, raising children, watching grandchildren, or driving kids on the school bus, he made sure everyone made it to where they needed to go.

Clark was relentlessly supportive and kind, always had advice to give, and often had a joke to tell. In his later years after battles with cancer, he found solace in his faith and was baptized at Last Chance Chapel.

Clark is survived by his wife, Phyllis Atkinson, and children: Cheryl (Jacob) Bristow, Todd (Courtney) Atkinson, and Jennifer (Trevin) Pappas. He was a proud grandfather to Maggie Bristow, Emmie Bristow, Payton (Leeanna) Pappas, Carter (Amber) Pappas, Brooke (Chris) Steinmetz, and Daniel Atkinson, and he even had the chance to meet his first great-grandson, Owen Steinmetz. Clark is also survived by his sister, Shirley Williams, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as extended family and close friends, including Bob and Deb Tomaskie and Jon, Jolene, Erica, and John Selby.

Clark was preceded in death by his father, Orson "Curly" Atkinson, his mother, Blanche Johnson Atkinson, and his father- and mother-in-law, Les and Dorothy Carter. He will be reunited with numerous aunts and uncles, cousins and other family and friends, as well as many horses, dogs, and other pets through the years.

In honoring Clark's wishes, there will be a funeral at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, at Last Chance Chapel at 6240 Raven Road. A lunch will follow at The Lodge (near Last Chance Chapel) at 6311 Three Mile Road. Clark's family thanks all those who have supported them during this time and invites everyone to celebrate his life in the days ahead. The family would also like to thank Dr. Moore and Headwaters Hospice for their care.