BUCKEYE, Ariz. — Classroom 103 at the Odyssey Preparatory Academy in Buckeye will forever have a new special meaning. It will be a place where students and staff will honor and remember Kimbell Clark.
The 48-year-old was a math teacher who also taught business studies to high schoolers near Yuma Road and Verrado Way.
On Thursday, the teacher was on his way to school just before 6 a.m. when he was killed in a car crash near Southern Avenue and State Route 85.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, but authorities told 12News that Clark's car somehow ended up pinned under the semi-truck. The teacher died on the scene.
"It's just a loss that we can't fill," said Becky Quigley, co-principal at the Odyssey Preparatory Academy. "He impacted students that he didn't even have in his classroom."
Clark had been a part of the school since 2012. First as a parent, then guest teacher. He joined their staff full-time in 2021.
Aside from his teaching duties, Clark "was an integral part of assemblies." He ran the Beyond the Stigma Club for students who struggled with mental health, he coached football and helped out in the school's "Macbeth" play.
Clark's family told 12News that on Sundays, he taught and was a Chaplin at the Lewis prison, something he had done for six years.
"He was just a man of service," Quigley said. "His joy was seeing somebody else smile. He enjoyed every minute of life."
The teacher's family said Clark was always the life of the party. He loved desert plants and animals, and superheroes.
While some students called him Mr. C, to others he was their superhero, Quigley said.
"He really taught the kids that you just try everything, be part of things and live in the moment," said Jessica Sabo, the school's co-principal. "He made an impact on every person he met."
The school set up a workstation with notepads and sticky notes for students to create messages to honor Clark. Several students paid their respects by writing notes and bringing flowers.
His classroom's door and entrance were decorated with love and memories written on notes Friday.
Clark was one of seven siblings. He was married for 25 years and leaves behind a wife and four children.
Remembering Mr. Clark
12News spoke to Clark's family on Friday, but they were too emotional to speak on camera. They issued the following statement:
"We are heartbroken over the loss of Kimball, a loving husband, father, son, uncle, and friend. Everyone knew Kimball, he had a larger than life personality! He loved to laugh and make others laugh and always had a crazy, funny story to share.
Kimball was dedicated to his family and faith. He knew what was most important in this life. He inspired others simply by the way he lived and how he interacted with and treated people. He was truly a friend to all, sincere, kind, and willing to serve at any moment.
We will continue to retell his epic funny stories in our family for years to come. He will be dearly missed."
The Odyssey Preparatory Academy, Family of Schools notified students and parents of Mr. Clark's passing hours after the deadly crash.
"Mr. Clark brought a bright smile and happiness to all those that crossed his paths. He was a deeply loving and caring teacher and friend who would do anything for his scholars, his family, his friends and his colleagues. He will be missed deeply by all of us as he was and is an integral part of our TOPA family," Odyssey Preparatory's administrators wrote in a statement.
The school will be providing grief counselors to students and staff affected by Clark's passing. They are planning to hold a memorial and assembly on Thursday in honor of the teacher.
The family created a GoFundMe account, to fundraise for funeral expenses.
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Deaths on Arizona roads
Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that roadway fatalities have been gradually rising in Arizona over the last decade:
- 2011: 825 deaths
- 2012: 821 deaths
- 2013: 844 deaths
- 2014: 774 deaths
- 2015: 895 deaths
- 2016: 952 deaths
- 2017: 1,000 deaths
- 2018: 1,010 deaths
- 2019: 982 deaths
- 2020: 1,057 deaths
ADOT offers driving tips on its website to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
- Don’t speed or drive aggressively
- Never drive while under the influence of substances
- Avoid distractions while driving
- Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
- When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
- Stay extra aware in work zones
- Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.