Al Clark

Al Clark, 91, of Booneville, passed away May 31, 2017, at Sparks Medical Center in Fort Smith. Al was born December 22, 1925 to Albert and Lillian (Steinke) Clark in Barling, Arkansas. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII and, upon returning home, completed his high school education from Greenwood High School in 1946. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1948 with a degree in Education, and he began teaching in Jenny Lind. He married Mary Overton on November 24, 1954, and they were married 62 years. Al taught and coached for over fifty years in Oklahoma, Wyoming, Hong Kong, and Arkansas, finally retiring in 1998.

Al was an active and faithful member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, having been first brought to the faith as a ten-year old boy by the faithful teaching of his beloved mentor, Ms. Amanda Hennig, of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith. Al was a baptized child of God, and his life was a continual confession and profession of Christ’s baptismal grace. Al was a Godly man whose love for the Lord was great, guiding him throughout his life – he raised his family by these principles. Al and Mary were the proud parents of six children, and provided foster care to over one-hundred children over the course of ten years. His door and heart were always open.

Al is survived by his beloved bride, Mary; six children, Deborah Clark of Wynona, Cindy (Steve) Rugeley of Montgomery, Jay (Trish) Clark of Greenwood, Julie (Scott) Basham of Booneville, Kyle (Elizabeth) Clark of Argyle, and Jayson (Brittney) Clark of Fort Smith; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three sisters, Irma, Goldie, and Mary Jane.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Carl, Reilly, and Billy Joe; his infant sister; half-brother, Earl and half-sister, Bernice.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Friday, June 2, at Chateau on the Green in Greenwood, and from 10-11 am on Saturday, June 3, Grace Lutheran Church in Greenwood, with funeral services immediately following at 11 am. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood. Pallbearers will be Scott Basham, Nicholas Clark, Kirk Clark, David Mullen, Alicia Rugeley, and Connie Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ed Dollase, Woodrow Hildreth, Perry Goines, Bob Overton, and Gaylon Patterson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the “altar fund” at Grace Lutheran Church, 18218 Hwy 71 South, Greenwood, AR.