Jerry Clark

Van Jerold Clark AKA: Jerry Clark

Jerry Clark went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Jerry was born on October 18, 1941 in Holcomb. Mississippi to Benny Lee Clark and Darna Clark. Jerry graduated from Grenada High School. He attended Holmes Jr college majoring in business.

Jerry proudly served in the Army National Guard and the Reserve for 6 years. Jerry, in his early years as a young man and until in in thirties, he worked in several different places. His jobs took him to; Chicago, Illinois, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; New Orleans, Louisiana, then to Houston, Texas.

Jerry moved to Houston area in the year of 1975. He worked for an oil and gas company out of New Orleans until he started his own company called Imperial Coatings, where he sold industrial coating as a Manufactures Rep. to oil companies for their off-shore oil rigs. He was a very hard worker and a very determined guy to succeed.

Jerry & Dessie met in 1977 and married in 1978. Jerry had been previously married and had 3 biological daughters. When Jerry and Dessie married, she had 3 biological children: 1 daughter and 2 sons. They called ourselves the “Clark Clan. Both Jerry & Dessie working hard, together sent 5 out of 6 of their kids to college.

Jerry had not gone to church very much when he was previously married. However, Dessie, who was brought up in the church all her life, as her dad had been a minister and a pastor all her life. Jerry started going to church with her and her children, which Jerry ended up adopting her 3 children. They realized when they put God first in our marriage, things changed and they found they loved working in different ministries in all the churches they were involved in. Especially, they loved working with the youth. They were involved in many great charitable organizations, always helping other people.

Jerry & Dessie have been blessed to travel the world together as they love traveling. They loved the country of Israel, it being the birthplace of Jesus.

Jerry always loved sports. He coached little League baseball, Football. But Jerry’s passion was golf. He would close many deals on the golf course with his customers. As time passed, and their children were grown and some graduated from college and they started their own life, each of their children got married and started their family. Together as of now, they have 8 grandchildren, 4 granddaughters and 4 grandsons. They also have a grandson who went to heaven as little baby. Their grandchildren, who are now married, has given the 3 great grandsons. They felt they are blessed people. Jerry and Dessie love their family and know they are the important ones in their life, along with their love for each other, except putting God first in their life, then everything else.

Jerry loved golf so much he was introduced to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, which had 8 golf courses there. They bought a second home and ending up selling their home in the Houston area and buying their retirement home in Hot Springs Village. They lived there for 10 years. They knew, after Jerry was diagnosed with the incurable disease, ALS, they needed to get back home to Houston. They moved back to the Woodlands area 2 years ago. They met in Houston and now he is laid to rest in Houston.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Dessie, their 6 children: daughter, Tammy Smith and husband Mark Smith; son, Michael Clark; daughter, Nicole Walker (husband Gary Walker, deceased) Daughter, Michelle Denton and husband, Joe Denton; Daughter, Danielle Clark; and son, Stephen Clark. Grandchildren: Grandsons Tyler McGinty, Justin Terry, Caleb Smith, Jakob Clark. Granddaughters: Tristin McGinty Broussard; McCarley McLaughlin; Addie Denton; Anne Portis. Three great grandsons: Braxton Broussard, Wade Acy, Denton McLaughlin.

Jerry is preceded in death by his dad; Benny Clark, Mom, Darna Clark. Brother: Darrell Clark, Grandson, Joseph Denton the third.

Jerry’s one sister, Fran Bearden and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and of course their children, grandchildren and family, all mourn the passing and absence of Jerry but celebrate his new home in heaven.