Lawrence C. Clark

Lawrence Clark grew up in Echo Park area of Los Angeles. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps later that year. He was wounded during the battle for Iwo Jima, for which he received the Purple Heart on his 21st birthday. He served in the Pacific to the end of WWII, and then took part in the Occupation of Japan. After the war, he enrolled at USC on the G. I. Bill, earning a B. S. in Business. In 1950 he was recalled to active duty in the Korean War.

Back in civilian life, he met and married Carol Clark from Williams, Minnesota in 1954. They have three children--Jim, John, and Maran Clark, and one grandson, Ryan Clark. Larry, as he was known to his friends, worked in the insurance business--first with Prudential Insurance, then Fred S. James, Great-West Life, and he spent the last 25 years of his career as a consultant in employee benefits and human resources with William M. Mercer, Inc.

Larry held volunteer positions with a number of charities and clubs: long-time Board Member and President, 1967, of Woodcraft Rangers (a youth organization); President of the Host Lions Club of Los Angeles, 1982-83; Board Member of Lark Ellen Lions Club; Secretary of the Los Angeles Rod & Reel Club, 1989-1999; and Secretary-Treasury of the International Society of Antique Modelers, 1995-2003.

He enjoyed deep-sea fishing and summer trips to June Lake in the Sierras for camping, fishing and backpacking with his family. He built and flew free-flight model airplanes-- a life-long hobby. Larry passed away after an extended illness, on December 24, 2012. His wife of 56 years, his children and grandson survive him.