Former Bluffton resident, Thomas G. Clark, 59, of Fishers Ind., a 2008 Olympic referee and longtime leader within USA Wrestling, died on Friday, March 10, 2017, at home. He was born on Feb. 22, 1959, to James A. and Mary (Canaan) Clark in Bluffton, Ohio. His parents preceded him in death.
A native of Bluffton, Tom graduated from Bluffton HIgh School, attended The Ohio State University and worked as an official for many years in Ohio before relocating to Indiana. Tom had been an official for 35 years, and was the 1988 USA Wrestling Official of the Year. He was a referee at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and had worked dozens of World Championships and major international competitions at the Senior level.
Tom has served as a Board member of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association for many years, and was the current USWOA Vice-President. He was active in USA Wrestling programs in Indiana and Ohio and was named 2005 ISWA Official of the Year.
He received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Officials Association Award for excellence in wrestling in 2007.
Tom is survived by his son, Hayden James Clark; a brother, Steve (Mary) Clark; niece, Catharine Clark; and great-nieces, Naomi and Miriam Robinson.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at Grace Church, 5504 E 146th St, Noblesville, Ind., with visitation beginning at 4:30 p.m. Burial will take place at in Bluffton on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Maple Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hayden's Trust Fund as follows: Trust for the Benefit of Hayden J Clark. c/o Eric M Douthit, CCH+A 2 North 9th Street, Noblesville, IN; or, Bluffton High School Athletic Department, 106 W College Ave, Bluffton, OH 45817.
The family has entrusted cremation to Randall & Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville. Condolences: www.randallroberts.com
