3737 E State Route 36, Decatur, IL, 62521
Get to Know Dr. Kelly J. Clark
I grew up in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston. Since Jr. High, I knew I wanted to be a dentist. I attended both the Academy of Science and Technology and Oak Ridge High where I participated in basketball. The day after high school graduation, I went to Marine Corps boot camp. I joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 1991 as a mortar man and served for 7 years. From there I attended Howard Payne University for my undergraduate degree, where I was able to continue to play basketball. My senior year I had the honor of playing in the NAIA National Championship Tournament. I went on from there to dental school at The University of Texas Health School of Dentistry in Houston. In my second year, I applied and received a health professions scholarship from the US Army. I was commissioned as an officer in April 1998, transferring from the Marine Corps into the Army. I graduated from dental school in June of 2000 and began my active duty Army career.
While in the Army, I graduated from a 1-yr Advance General Dentistry program in September of 2001. In 2003, I Served in Iraq for 5 months and finished my time with the Army in November. I moved to Decatur in Nov 2003 where I started private practice as an associate under long time Decaturite Randy Van Alstine.
After seven months as an associate, I knew this is where I wanted to be, so Dr Van and I switched rolls and I became owner in Aug 2004. As the practice grew, we moved from downtown on North Street to a bigger facility where we became Decatur Dental Care in 2009.
My beautiful wife, Lindsey, who is my anchor of peace, thrives in the dental world as a hygienist at a difference local office of which we won't name 🙂 Together we have 6 kids that keep us on the move. I have been able to coach and help out with many of the kid’s activities and sporting events. Christ is the central part of my life and I try to reflect that relationship to my community. I have been active in many different community events and at this point the construction of 14 new homes for families in need. I have an amazing and caring staff that I could not function without.