Richard K. Clark

Richard K. Clark, 58, of Austintown, passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown following a massive stroke.

Born October 4, 1967, in Youngstown, he was the son of William and Josephine (Myers) Clark and a 1986 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.

At just 20 years old, Richard met the love of his life, Lisa Ratkowski, at work. What began as a simple connection grew into a remarkable 38-year partnership filled with laughter, loyalty, and deep, enduring love. Richard embraced Lisa’s daughters, Danielle and Allison, as his own, building a family grounded in devotion and togetherness. When they later welcomed grandchildren into their lives, Richard found one of his greatest joys in becoming “Papa.” He poured his heart into that role—playing, laughing, and creating unforgettable moments. Whether it was a game, a joke, or a spontaneous adventure, he made sure his grandchildren always felt his love and his fun-loving spirit.

Richard dedicated more than 15 years to AT&T in customer service, where he took immense pride in his work. Known for his reliability, professionalism, and genuine care for others, he was described by his manager as an integral part of the team and someone everyone truly enjoyed working alongside. His commitment to excellence and strong work ethic earned him multiple company awards on a nationwide level. For Richard, doing a job well—and doing it with integrity—was simply part of who he was.

He was a man of faith and attended the Youngstown Area Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Richard had a youthful spirit and a curiosity that never faded. He enjoyed listening to audiobooks, sharing his seemingly endless store of trivia, and cheering on his favorite stories as a fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek. He recently discovered a new interest in flying drones, found peace in walking his dog, Louise, and cherished quiet evenings at home with Lisa watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. He was also grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world alongside those he loved.

More than anything, Richard will be remembered as a loving partner, a devoted father, and an extraordinary papa whose warmth, humor, and presence brought joy to every room he entered.

He leaves behind his beloved companion, Lisa Ratkowski; Lisa’s daughters, Danielle (Justin) Kline and Allison “Allie” Ratkowski, whom he loved as his own; and his cherished grandchildren, Olivia Clark and Jillian and Jacxon Kline, who were the light of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, William Jr. and David Clark.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, 4303 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44515, with a brief service to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Even in passing, Richard’s giving spirit endured. As an organ donor, he gave the gift of life to three individuals—a final, selfless act that reflects the kind of man he was. His family takes comfort in knowing how proud he would be to have made such a difference, just as they are endlessly proud of him.