Clark E. Bisbee

JACKSON, MI - Clark E. Bisbee

Passed away peacefully on Monday, March 27, 2023 after a three-year battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer.

He was born on February 16, 1949 and is preceded in death by his parents, Leland S. Bisbee Jr. and Margaret Clark Bisbee, and his sister, Patrice Bisbee Vermeulen.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Clark was married to and cherished Kathleen "Katie" Miller Bisbee for more than 39 loving years. He is remembered as an adoring father to Casey Bisbee, Megan Bisbee Cowing, Leland S. Bisbee IV, and Peter Bisbee. His grandchildren included Elizabeth Shuster, Brooke Gee-Montgomery, Sydney Cowing, Sophie Cowing, Penny Bisbee, Leland S. Bisbee V, and Beatrice Bisbee. He was a treasured brother to Patrice Bisbee Vermulean, Leland S. Bisbee III, Margaret Hermann, and Constance Amend.

Clark lived almost his entire life in Jackson, Michigan and enjoyed spending as much time as possible at the family cottage in Charlevoix, Michigan. A natural athlete, Clark participated in both collegiate tennis and swimming, winning a NCAA conference championship as a swimmer and was later inducted into the collegiate hall of fame.

A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Clark's professional career began with City Bank & Trust, where he spent ten years managing the bank's operations in mid-Michigan. In 1978 Clark left City Bank to found Bisbee Infrared Services, which provided the region with thermographic imaging services for decades.  In 1980 Clark was called to lead Bisbee Travel, the travel agency founded by his father. At the helm of Bisbee Travel, Clark expanded and diversified its operations to become the premier travel agency in Michigan. At its peak the Bisbee Travel Network included five locations across the state with over 40 employees. While at the helm of Bisbee Travel, Clark also served as President of the American Society of Travel Agents, helping to expand the scope of American tourism across the globe in the wake of the Cold War.

Clark's final venture was with Little Caesars Pizza, where he and his son Leland spearheaded the company's expansion into Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2019, establishing and operating six locations.

Clark was a dedicated public servant and pillar of his community. As a leader in the community, Clark's presence was felt from the little league fields, where Bisbee Travel sponsored teams for decades, to the realm of politics and public service. In 1998, Clark led a successful campaign to represent the greater Jackson area in the Michigan House of Representatives. As a State Representative Clark was a champion for his constituency. In Clark's first term he secured the funding to remove the deadly Grand River cap, which helped revitalize downtown Jackson's riverfront area. Building upon this, Clark helped negotiate Consumers Energy's recommitment to its headquarters in downtown Jackson along the banks of the Grand River. As a State Representative, Clark chaired the influential Michigan House Commerce Committee, was one of a handful of state legislators to ever successfully amend the Michigan Constitution, and easily won reelection for the maximum of three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. His political career culminated with a run for the United States House of Representatives in 2004, where his campaign focused on a platform of economic freedom and conservative family values. While ultimately unsuccessful, this congressional run would have a lasting impact on the political environment in Michigan, solidifying a conservative seat for his constituency that lasts to this day.

Clark will be most remembered as a great friend. His success across all the facets of his life was always precipitated by the genuine friendship he showed towards all. Clark was everyone's favorite. His calm and relentless positivity endeared him to anyone with whom he crossed paths.

A visitation will be held at Desnoyer Funeral Home on Friday, March 31 from 5:00 PM ET to 7:00 PM ET and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church on Saturday, April 1 at 10:30 AM ET.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or to the Jackson County Catholic Education Fund of the Jackson Community Foundation.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 133 Years