Harold Stratford Clark, Jr.

Harold’s parents, Rosina and Harold, Sr., preceded him in death, as did his sister, Rosalene Sanzone, and his three “doggies,” Samurai, Monroe, and Stellar.

His loving, devoted wife, Agnes Loria Clark, survives him, as do his children, Angela Beard and Matthew Clark, their spouses, Jason Beard and Kristen Clark, his grandchildren, Viviana and Lilla Beard, Florence and Francesco Clark, and his Godchild, Mia Jacomine.

Harold grew up in New Orleans. He was born on May 27, 1945, the son of a World War II Marine and feisty, lovable Italian-American mother from Belle Chasse. Soon, he’d have a little sister, who was lovably spirited too. The family traveled and had fun together. Edgewater Gulf was one of their favorite destinations. You may have heard of some of the silly times Rosalene and Harold enjoyed together or maybe you were there with them.

To know Harold is to know his passionate faith, his devotion to Catholicism, and his lifelong connection to education. He served the Church as a eucharistic minister and lector at St. Raphael and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes, and through his membership in the Knights of Columbus. In the 1980s, the Archdiocese of New Orleans recognized him with the Order of St Louis Medallion, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Archdiocese of New Orleans on laypeople. It recognizes outstanding service to one’s parish.

He had an insatiable appetite for learning. He studied theology, mathematics, counseling, languages, and the arts. St. Raphael, Cor Jesu, William Carey College, and Loyola University graduated him. He held master’s degrees in theology and counseling.

In his unique style, he synthesized those loves with hope for deeper understandings of the fundamentals of life. He headed the Liturgy Committee at Holy Cross High School in the Ninth Ward, where he taught from the middle-1980s into the aughts. We think it fair to conclude that he rightly enjoyed his reputation for being a cherished teacher, and maybe a touch eccentric.

He loved music, played the drums, guitar, and sang. He loved listening to (and sometimes to the discomfort of his wife and children, mimicking) Elvis and 1960s rock n roll. His childhood band allowed him to meet Dr. John, who then went by Mac. He even acted in a few plays, television shows, and commercials. If you asked Dad, an episode of Walker Texas Ranger, starring Chuck Norris, definitely ranked at the top of Dad’s list of acting credentials.

Among the arts he loved most were the martial arts. He studied and competed in kickboxing and Shotokan Karate. He founded the Karate Club at Holy Cross and took the club to compete in tournaments across the country. He and his team did quite well over years. One of his star pupils, Devin Fadaol, went on to compete successfully across the world. Harold held memberships in the Louisiana and Japan karate associations.

Harold is deeply missed by his family, friends, former students, teachers he mentored, and most likely also by the hungry neighborhood animals who looked to him for snacks.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and International Shrine of St. Jude, 411 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:30AM. A visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit LakeLawnMetairie.com