Shag Clark was a very active member of the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame, since his induction into the organization in 2014. He was a big man with a big heart and an interest in many things. His love of family, cars and helping others were evident in all his endeavors.

Shag was born in 1941 and raised in Spokane, Washington with a love of the outdoors and nature. He was a hard worker and spent his years as a teen and young adult taking in several types of ranch work. After graduating from high school he joined the Air Force but after his discharge he returned to Spokane and purchased his own ranch.

He has been married to wife Wanda for almost 47 years and she has been at his side as a partner in raising 3 children, 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
During this time Shag has owned 35 different cars and been very active in helping out others within the car community. Yet he always made his family his number one priority.

After his induction into the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame, Shag initiated a scholarship program for students needing financial assistance in pursuing their education. Shag began an alliance with the Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland Washington. Each year his thousands of dollars were raised and the scholarship program assisted dozens of students.
Donations came from individuals and businesses involved in the car community along with local car clubs. He, alone took on the task of gathering these donations for years, through his resources. Eventually other board members of the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame helped in gathering donations, as well. This was solely to benefit of needy and very worthy students who planned to enter the work force and pursue a future in car related professions.
Shag worked most recently closely with Nolan Koretski and Elizabeth Sorenson at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology. It was among his last wishes that all the funds we raised would go directly to this accredited college and their auto programs. However, now that we have expanded our organization to include three other Northwest states, there will be other schools that will benefit from this program.

Shag passed away in March of this year at the age of 83. He was a bit of a cowboy, loving the simple things in life, a good home and the love of family and friends. He was a strong man, which helped him in later years in his fragile condition. He quietly dealt with his illness and in his last months, was in a lot of pain. Yet he continued on, working for scholarships and attending the presentation program for students in September

Shag was very smart and quick-witted along with being a hard worker and caring for others. His devoted wife, Wanda accompanied and supported him with his work on his car endeavors and many scholarships as a board member of the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Shag had many friends and relatives who loved him and will always remember his warmth, smile and dedication to helping others. He has left a legacy of generosity and goodness and because of this, he will not be forgotten.

- Submitted by Elizabeth Kiteley (Board Member)