Clinton Anthony Clark

Our sweet Daddy, Clinton Anthony “Tony” Clark, was called home to Heaven on January 3, 2021. I am sure he is there doing what he loved to do here - leading a group of acapella singers in worship to God. I can hear him now, leading a rousing rendition of “It is Well With My Soul,” the sweet stanzas of “I Come to the Garden Alone,” and the gentle chorus of “Precious Memories.”

Dad was born on August 13, 1941 in Laurel, Mississippi, but soon moved with his parents, Isabelle and Clinton Clark to Anniston, Alabama. He was a big brother to little brother Ronnie and and baby sister Suzanne. He graduated from Walter Wellborn High School in the class of 1959 where he was an All-State clarinetist and, to no one’s surprise, voted “Most Helpful” his senior year.

Dad went on to study at Jacksonville State University, graduating with a Master of Science in Education. He taught at Saks Elementary for two years before going to work at the Calhoun County Board of Education as a School Supervisor. In his 35 years at the school board, Dad would travel to elementary schools all over the county sharing his love of reading with thousands of students. I remember him coming to my class and reading, to rapt attention, Shel Silverstein’s poem “There’s a Polar Bear in My Frigidaire” - a particular favorites of his. Although he was so good at reaching young kids with the written word, he was always so humble and self-deprecating. I have in my office today a sign he made for his office - “Teaching Reading is Like Nailing Jello to a Tree.”

While he was still in high school, Dad met our mom, Nancy Keenum, at Skyline Christian Youth Camp in Mentone, Alabama. They married in a simple ceremony at her house on Rainbow Drive in Rainbow City, Alabama on August 3, 1963. In 1968, they bought a house on Alan Drive in Oxford, Alabama and that would become our family home. Our house was always filled with love, and laughter, and music. I sing “You Are My Sunshine” to my girls, because I remember Daddy singing it so sincerely to us.

In addition to being an educator, Dad was also a preacher. For many years he preached at Ironaton Church of Christ, then Sakston Heights Church of Christ, and then Ironaton again. He also filled in for vacationing preachers at lots of different churches. Some of the most important lessons we learned in life - lessons about faith and hope and trust - came from one of Daddy’s sermons. I also think that each of us kids were, at one time or another, called down - and I mean called down - from the pulpit, in the middle of the sermon for doing something we weren’t supposed to be doing. While traumatic at the time, we all laugh about those memories now.

When our parents fully retired in 2000, they moved to the family farm in Rainbow City. Dad loved playing the farm boy, tending goats and sheep and donkeys with delight. He was hardly seen sitting without a book in his hand and was always eager to tell you about the latest story he was reading. He loved to lead singing at East Gadsden Church of Christ and, as long as he was able, regularly made the rounds to visit members of the congregation who couldn’t get out themselves.

Although he taught so much to so many, the one thing that our Dad would want each person who reads this to know is the extraordinary peace and comfort that can only be found in serving a loving God, in showing the love of Jesus to others, and in sharing the gift of the Holy Spirit. We will miss you Dad and can’t wait to join you in Heaven’s mighty chorus.

Dad is survived by his wife of 57 years, our mom, Nancy Clark; my brother, Jonathan Clark (Cheryl); my sister, Rebecca Smith - always a Daddy’s Girl (Heath); me - Paul (Sarah); his sister, Suzanne McElroy (Mike); and by grandchildren Brody Barker, Britney Barker, Justin Clark, Jade Clark, Geoffrey Clark, Louise Clark, Geneva Clark, and Martha Clark. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Ronnie Clark. Our family has planned a private graveside service for Dad. In lieu of flowers, our family asks that you buy a book and donate it to your local public school library or that you simply sing out your favorite old hymn - Daddy would love either just as much.

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