With the passing of Judge Cloyd Clark this past weekend, McCook and Southwest Nebraska has lost one its most vocal, most passionate, most boisterous supporters.
While Cloyd had been ill for a short time, his death still comes as a shock and now the tributes and accolades have begun to pour in. And not just because he was so active in the community, but because Cloyd was larger than life. His booming voice, his bushy mustache, his deep-throated laugh.
There are so many words to describe Cloyd, who will have an impact on our community for generations to come, and these are just a few from those who knew him, worked alongside him, and loved him.
An amazing delegator. An idea guy.
Cloyd didn’t just talk the talk….O.K. he sometimes did just talk the talk but that usually led to the project still happening. One of the things Cloyd was so good at was coming up with ideas and then somehow getting others to do them. He was so persuasive in his ability to get others to follow up on the unique ideas which popped into his head.
Welcoming and gracious. Passionate leader.
Over and over, people are remembering Cloyd as the person who boosted them up, who gave them confidence in themselves, who made them think their idea was possible. He had an open mind for what the future might hold and encouraged others to make those ideas happen.
Amazing storyteller. Colorful.
Cloyd loved to tell stories and could enrapture an audience with his enthusiasm, which led to the the concept of a storytelling festival, especially after outsiders visited and said everyone here should just pack up their bags and leave. With the help of many others, the Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival was born and continues to thrive and grow more than 20 years later.
Hard worker…at fun.
From the start of the Live at the Bieroc concert series, Cloyd and Linda Clark could be found front and center for the shows at Sehnert’s Bakery. At nearly every show, Cloyd would be at “his” table with a bottle of wine nearby, a hearty laugh at the ready and prepared to interact and possibly sing along with the performer.
Ornery and humorous.
Cloyd always a joke or a story ready for his audience, whether it was his regular lunch bunch which included his wife, Linda, and Sharon Bohling, Dale and Mary Dueland and Cathy and Bruce McDowell, or someone who just happened to be passing by.
Elder Statesman. Passionate Leader.
To say Cloyd was influential and involved is an understatement. At his passing, Cloyd was still heavily active, serving as president of the Norris Institute which is working to create Norris Alley; and a member of the High Plains Museum board, which is undergoing many tremendous updates. And in addition to having the distinction of Rotary District Governor, Cloyd rarely missed a McCook Rotary meeting, where he could be counted on to use his deep baritone voice to belt out the weekly sing-along.
Man with a Plan. Early Supporter.
Cloyd always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye, especially when he thought about the future and the possibilities for our community. He was a genuine listener, who was always interested in ideas about what was possible.
Woo and welcoming.
“Woo” stands for winning others over, enjoying the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. According to his son, Paul, Cloyd was most proud that one of his strengths was “woo” because ultimately he was going to make friends with everyone in the room…whether they knew it or not.
Kind and deep. Incredibly huge heart.
At the end of the day, Cloyd loved people. It showed when he was on the bench as a judge, pulling parents to the side to determine the best course of action for their child before donning his robe to make the decision official. It showed in the creation of the Prairie Plains Court Appointed Special Advocates program to advocate for the safety and well-being of children.
Legendary.
I don’t include that word lightly but McCook won’t be the same with Cloyd’s passing. He truly wanted what was best for McCook and for its citizens and he made a difference in so many people’s lives over the years.
There is no way to fill Cloyd’s shoes and there is a great void - literally a void on many committees and organizations in our community. So what is the best way to remember and honor Cloyd’s legacy?
It is to step up and get involved. It is to continue to telling stories and sharing a glass of wine. It is to remember that every day is a gift and embrace it with a belly-filled laugh.
If we truly want to remember and honor Judge Cloyd Clark, we must remember his spirit and work together to make McCook an even better place to call home.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
