Clark Goodrich Bassett

Feb. 9, 1933 – Nov. 1, 2024

Clark Goodrich Bassett, 91, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at New Horizons Care Center, where he had lived for fifteen and a half hours (a lot of our own dream to be there such a short time). 

 Clark was born February 9, 1933, to Paul Henry Bassett and Leah Maud Goodrich Bassett. He was the first child born to his parents. He grew up on a farm five miles southwest of Lovell at what is called Pumpkin Center. In time, Clark’s parents had three daughters after Clark. His first sister was Myrtle, then Sharleen and Enid.

While on a scouting trip over to Burlington, about 30 miles away, Clark and his dad were found in the group and was told, “You have a son, and Clark has a little brother.”  They were so tickled. He was named Craig. There was a 12-year difference in Clark and Craig’s age. 

Clark graduated from Lovell High School.

He was married to Ruth Claire Olsen, and they had two sons together, Ronald and Bart. They were later divorced. In time, he married and divorced Faye. From this marriage he adopted four children.

While Clark was working in Gillette as a mason his mom and dad brought a lady over from Lovell to meet him. It was Carole Durfee Thompson Patrick. Clark and Carole had met as young kids. She made an impression on him then because her dad had a fireworks stand in town.

They got to know each other and fell in love. When Clark asked her to marry him, he said, “I have a couple of requests to this proposal. One is that you will adopt my six children and help me raise them. The other request is that, when we can, will you go on a mission with me? Carole answered yes to both requests.

Clark and Carole raised Clark’s six children, Ron, Doug, Rayann, Janet, Bart and Bob. Carole brought two more children, Kaye and Gilbert, to the family, making eight children.

Carole and Clark lived several years in Gillette. Time went on, and they finally felt the need to move from Gillette back home to Lovell. 

They ended up going on four missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They went to Honduras twice, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

During the years in Lovell, Clark and some friends asked Dean Walker to teach them to fly. It was another love of a hobby that Clark and Carole enjoyed together.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents; wife Carole; sons Bob and Doug; and sisters Myrtle, Enid and Sharleen.

Survivors include his brother, Craig; children Rayann, Janet, Bart, Ron, Kaye and Gilbert; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lovell. Services will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the Lovell Cemetery.