Clarence Howard Babcock

Clarence Howard Babcock, 93, Bismarck, died December 21, 2013, at St. Vincent's Care Center. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, December 28, at Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Thomas R. Marcis, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, December 27, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Clarence was born January 6, 1920, in Wolsey, SD, the son of G.F. and Minnie Fischer Babcock. He attended Wolsey public schools, and after graduating from high school, he attended Dodge Radio Institute in Valpraiso, IN. After this, he began his career with Northwest Airlines. His first location was O'Hare field in Chicago, then on to Seattle, WA. He was later transferred to Bismarck, where he worked until he retired in 1983. Clarence was drafted into the U.S. Army in July of 1944. During his time of service, he was chief of the message center for a field artillery group. He was honorably discharged in July 1946 as a staff sergeant. Clarence returned to Bismarck in 1946, and continued his career with Northwest Airlines. During his teenage years he became interested in amateur radio and this remained his hobby for all of his life. His first call letters were WØWYG. Later he obtained a higher grade license and his call letters were changed to WFØO. Clarence married Frances Licht of Virgil, SD, in 1944; and they were blessed with four children, Nicholas, Penelope, Robert, and Mary. Clarence was a very private person. He was faithful to his church and devoted his life to providing for his family and caring for their home and yard. Clarence will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, Frances; his children, Nick Linda Babcock, Penny Kunz, and Robert Babcock; five grandchildren, Melanie Jeff Wilson, Michael Babcock, Timothy Krisi Kunz, Christopher Herrmann Sandy Zelko, Zachary Herrmann Tara Himmelspach; and four great-grandchildren, Parker Wilson, Jackson Wilson, Kyla Hickel, and Brandon Kunz; son-in-law, Jerry Herrmann Debbie LaBrenz and son Josh; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Mary; son-in-law, Daryl Kunz; one brother, Gordon and his wife, Clarice; and one sister Bessie and her husband, Roy Deyo; two half-sisters; and three half-brothers. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck.

Clarence Howard Babcock

January 6, 1920 - December 21, 2013