Obituary for Chase Ray Clark

Chase Ray Clark was born on May 5, 2005 at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, Ohio to Amy Nicole Emmons (Clark) and Rodney D. Smith Jr. Chase and his mother’s other two children were later adopted by Shawn James Clark, who also survives with Chase’s mother, Amy. Chase graduated from Riverdale High School just this past May, just a couple of weeks after his 18th birthday.
Chase is survived by his maternal grandparents, Mary and Michael Neill and David and Christina Emmons, paternal grandparents Rodney and Penny Smith, and Barbara Clark, and great grandmothers Nancy Emmons and Carolyn Hingson.
Chase is also survived by his oldest sister Baileigh Clark, his brother and best friend Taylor Clark, sisters Shelby and Macie Clark, Kyleigh Smith and youngest brother Darrien Smith.
Chase has an abundance of surviving aunts, uncles and cousins, but had a very special relationship with his Aunt Kellie (Ethan) Brandeberry and her three young children; Snow, Huxlee and Kinsley.
Chase was preceded in death just this past July by his grandfather James Clark.
Chase can be described best with one word: loving. He expressed his love for people without hesitation, and hugged anyone he could. It was a common practice for him to hug his siblings often, hug his parents every time he would leave to go somewhere, and even message a few of his favorite teachers on Mother’s Day because it was important for him to make as many people as he could feel special. Chase could be seen with a different group of friends every week, because he just had so many of them, and he loved every single one of them, and their families as well. Chase didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Anyone could call on him for anything and he was there. If someone needed a ride, or money, or just company, he was there. If his friends needed a fishing buddy, kayaking buddy, or road trip buddy, he was there. Chase did his absolute best to live and enjoy life to the fullest.
Chase lived for anything sports related and could recite stats for almost any player on command. His passion however, was for soccer. Chase played soccer from the age of 8 all the way through high school and loved recently watching his brother Taylor on the high school field. He also started reffing soccer games at the age of 14. Parents would often comment how amazing he was with small children and could often be seen helping tie the little ones cleats. Chase also had a profound passion for video games and participated in the startup of Riverdale’s’ E-sports team, whom he helped take to the State level championship tournaments two years in a row. Chase was very inspired by his mentor, former band director, Esports leader and Riverdale’s “tech guru” Zack Voll, whom also gave Chase his passionate love for technology.
Chase recently started working at Kalmbach Feeds, and even though he was only there for a short time, he absolutely loved his job and the people he worked with.
Chase was loved by more people than anyone could have ever imagined. The number of individuals he impacted in his life just for being kind and supportive has been overwhelming. The family would like for anyone attending his services to wear Royal Blue or Riverdale attire if possible, to support everything he lived and breathed.
Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm Friday, October 6, 2023 at CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Arlington.  Funeral services will be held at RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30am with Pastor Jim Williams officiating.  Burial will be held in Riverview Cemetery at a later date.  Online condolences can be sent to the family by visiting coldrencrates.com and memorial contributions can be directed to the Riverdale High School soccer program c/o the school.