Mike Clark, a longtime educator and co-founder of Dream Riders, died over the weekend. Clark turned personal tragedy into purpose by launching Dream Riders of Kentucky after losing his daughter Megan to a car accident in 2001.
Clark spent decades in the classroom and on the sidelines of public service. His work with Dream Riders – a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with special needs – left one of his most enduring legacies.
Clark co-founded Dream Riders in 2003, inspired by Megan’s memory and to serve his daughter’s needs, Erin, who regularly participated in the program’s services. Partnering with Susie Higdon and other supporters, Clark developed the nonprofit into a vital resource that continues to serve children and adults with special needs.
“He did everything – teaching, fundraising, mowing the fields,” Higdon said. “We wouldn’t have accomplished what we did without Mike’s commitment. He built it to honor Megan, and having Erin involved gave him even more drive.”
Clark’s career in education spanned both public and Catholic school systems. He taught at Apollo High School and became principal at Burns Middle School before retiring from public education. After retirement, Clark remained active in education, serving as principal of Trinity High School and Mary Carrico Catholic School.
His leadership extended further as chairman of the Daviess County School Board, where he served until his health began to decline.
“He hired a lot of my classmates as teachers,” Clark’s son, Brian, said. “He worked 28 years with county schools, spent another 13 in the Catholic system, and still wasn’t ready to quit. He always wanted to be involved.”
Clark’s brother David said his ability to connect with others stood out in every role he took, whether in education or the nonprofit world.
“He was always willing to do anything to help somebody out,” David Clark said. “Whether it was through Dream Riders or the schools, he was the kind of person who just knew how to get things done – and people trusted him because they knew his heart was in the right place.”
Dream Riders eventually grew into a permanent facility on Winkler Road, with Clark at the center of its operations. Sandy Webster, one of the program’s directors, said Clark’s leadership and dedication laid the foundation for the nonprofit’s success.
“Mike believed in people,” Webster said. “He saw potential and knew how to bring out the best in others. It wasn’t just about building Dream Riders – it was about creating opportunities for people to do meaningful work.”
Faith was a guiding force in Clark’s life. He spent several years as a missionary in Africa before building a family with his wife, Rose. Brian said his dad’s faith remained at the heart of everything he did.
“He’d do anything for the church or Dream Riders,” Brian Clark said. “Even as his health worsened, he still wanted to be involved.”
Clark’s brother Benny said his selflessness defined him.
“He always believed that life wasn’t about him,” Benny said. “He challenged himself to go above and beyond for others, and he made sure we all knew that if you want to find happiness, you have to bring happiness to someone else.”
Though his health deteriorated in recent years, Clark’s impact continues to be felt throughout Owensboro.
Webster said it best when she said, “Everyone who was around him wanted to ‘be like Mike.’”
