Deryl Max Clark

Deryl came into this world holding a camera, the Friday after Thanksgiving 1956 to Louis and Louise Clark of Olton, Tx. As the kid brother to Gayle and Dwight, Deryl developed (and inherited from Louis) a certain type of mischievous hellraising that would be an ever present part of his personality. Though life in Olton provided Deryl many opportunities to reform his ill-mannered ways, he became an expert in riding the line of getting into and out of trouble. On occasion Deryl was known to regale you with tales of adventure or hell raising, but was always careful to not tell his children too much less they got any ideas.

Born into car culture, Deryl developed a keen interest in cars, planes and motorcycles. He hit the road early in life riding basket case motorcycles and tearing up the alleys of Olton to avoid the cops. Years later, his driver license offered the larger slice of freedom that the open road provides. Deryl would ride throughout his life, traveling tens of thousands of miles across the Deep South up to the Badlands of Dakota, and through the deserts of the Southwest to the Pacific Ocean. Deryl saw the motorcycle as the best way to travel. Though often told riding was dangerous, he would reply that the managed risk opened one up to serendipity, the best of rewards.

In his mid-twenties, camera in one hand and a new girl in the other (wife Linda), Deryl ran off to find his fortune in New Braunfels. While working for the local newspaper, he would develop his photography and storytelling skills. After a decade of photojournalism, the demands of a young family required him to seek out opportunities with reasonable hours. Deryl would later revisit photojournalism with a series of magazine articles published in the early 2000s.

Deryl found solace at HEB. He started working in the photolab and taking holiday portraits. A promotion saw his family relocate to Abilene in 1992. There Deryl came to find meaning in his work. At first it was for the stories of his regular customers, many of whom became friends. As his responsibilities changed from photo lab manager to manager-in-charge, he found a love in mentoring and advocating for his coworkers. During this time he also became known for his dapper hats and Hawaiian shirts. In 2021, Deryl’s work was recognized with a Spirit of HEB award.

Deryl was preceded in death by his mother Louise, father Louis, friend/mentor/and brother-in-law Hayden Hankins. He leaves behind his wife of 42 years Linda, son Jesse and Julie of San Antonio, daughter Lauren and Aaron Cauble of Tuscola, grandchildren Blade and Juvia of Tuscola, sister Gayle Hankins of Azle, brother Dwight and Sherian of Azle, cat Betty of the house, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elliott-hamil.com for the Clark family.