E.M. "Ned" Clark Sr.

E.M. “Ned” Clark Sr. passed away on March 16, 2026, at the age of 92. A formal and respectful remembrance is offered for a devoted, accomplished, and civic-minded man whose life reflected steady leadership, generous service, and enduring love for family, friends, LSU and the Baton Rouge community.

A native of Baton Rouge, Ned attended Baton Rouge High School, Darlington Preparatory School, LSU, and Banking School of the South. Ned graduated from Louisiana State University in 1955 and is a former U.S. Air Force captain. While at LSU, Ned was a star forward for the Tigers and helped lead them to their first Final Four in 1953, and also played for LSU baseball. He was awarded the 2010 SEC Basketball Legends Award.

Ned played an active role in numerous civic, professional and charitable organizations, serving in various capacities on the boards of United Givers, Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge, the YMCA, LSU National L Club, The Rotary Club, United Way, Baton Rouge General, St. James Place, St. James Church, Baton Rouge Food Bank, Boy Scouts and The Cancer Services, among others. His accolades include the Baton Rouge Volunteer Activist Award and The Baton Rouge Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award of the NCCJ, among others.

Ned is survived by his wife of 69 years, Laura O’Lenic Clark; daughters, Bryan Clark Fox (Ray) and Chrissie Clark Olsson (Don); son, EM Ned Clark, Jr. (Stacey); grandchildren, Harrison Fox (Megan), Hayden Fox, Bryan Olsson, Clark Olsson, Collyn Clark Stramwasser (Cristian), Matthew Clark (Caroline) and Camille Clark Theriot (Henri); and great-grandchildren, Tessa Clark, Sophie Stramwasser, Preston Stramwasser, Duke Clark, Millie Fox and Frankie Fox.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Curtis Clark and Sally Swain Clark, and his sister, Nancy Clark Wait.

Pallbearers will be Harrison Fox, Matthew Clark, Hayden Fox, Bryan Olsson, Clark Olsson and John O’ Hearin. Honorary pallbearers are Dick Hearin and Robert Pettit, Jr.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 27th at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government St. from 5 PM to 8 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday, March 28th at St. James Episcopal Church from 12 PM until the Funeral Service at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.

In memory of Ned, please consider giving to some of his favorite Organizations including Hospice of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Food Bank, St. James Episcopal Church or Cancer Services of Baton Rouge. The family is deeply grateful for his caregivers Donnie Batiste, Beverly Helm, Shaneika Finley, Shondell Gaines and Carolyn Clark. Special thanks to Latriecia Anderson and Debbie Sparacello from Hospice of Baton Rouge.