Background
Clark, Russell Gentry was born on July 27, 1925 in Myrtle, Missouri, United States. Son of William B. and Grace Frances (Jenkins) Clark.
Clark, Russell Gentry was born on July 27, 1925 in Myrtle, Missouri, United States. Son of William B. and Grace Frances (Jenkins) Clark.
Bachelor of Laws, University Missouri, 1952.
Born in Oregon County, Missouri, Clark was a Lieutenant in the United States Army during World World War II, from 1944 to 1946, and later received an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 1952. He was in private practice in Springfield, Missouri from 1952 to 1977. On June 13, 1977, Clark was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri vacated by William H. Becker.
Clark was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 1, 1977, and received his commission on July 5, 1977.
He served as chief judge from 1980 to 1985, and assumed senior status on August 1, 1991. Clark retired completely from the bench on July 31, 2000.
Clark ordered tax increases to come up with the massive amounts of money he ordered to be spent by the Kansas City school district in the case of Missouri v. Jenkins. Starting with his order "federal judges ordered more than $2 billion in new spending by the school district to encourage desegregation."
He died in Springfield, Missouri.
Second lieutenant United States Army, 1944-1946. Fellow American Bar Foundation. Member American Bar Association, International Platform Society, Missouri Bar Association (continuing legal education committee 1969), Greene County Bar Association (director 1968-1971), Kiwanis (past president Springfield chapter).
Clubs: Kiwanis (past president Springfield chapter).
Married Jerry Elaine Burrows, April 30, 1959. Children: Vincent A., Viki F.