A Celebration of Life service will be held for Charles Gerald Clark, Sr., age 91, on Saturday, March 10, 2012, 2:00 pm, at Henning Memorial United Methodist Church, 404 S. Huntington Street in Sulphur . Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm.
Gerald (known lovingly by many as "PaPaw", “Charlie” or “Clark”) passed away peacefully at his home in West Monroe on Thursday, March 8th, surrounded by family members.
Gerald was born in Bagley, Iowa on September 29,1920 to Frank and Ethel Hall Clark. Upon graduation from high school, Gerald was determined to avoid another cold winter in Iowa and traveled to Jennings, Louisiana to join his sister and brother-in-law, Lillian and A.O. Eastman. There he worked for Broussard's Cleaners and met the love of his life, Hilda Weisse. Gerald and Hilda were married on Hilda's birthday, November 6, 1941. Shortly thereafter, Gerald enlisted into the U.S. Marines and served honorably in WWII with the 5th Division at Iwo Jima .
In 1950, Gerald and his family moved to Sulphur, which was the Clark home for over 58 years. He worked at Cit-Con Oil Corporation until his retirement in 1982. Gerald and Hilda also were small business owners, operating Clark's Launderama for 35 years and were active, supportive members of their community. Gerald volunteered as a Little League coach and with his son’s Boy Scout Troop. Gerald and Hilda enjoyed lots of company in their home as well as traveling far and wide to visit family and friends including to France, Germany, Korea, Hawaii, California, Washington,DC, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Texas and in 2010 Gerald took a one-week high school reunion trip back to his much-loved home state of Iowa..
After retirement, Gerald enjoyed getting together with his Cit-Con buddies on Wednesdays for Red Beans & Rice at The Boiling Point, working in his vegetable garden and helping others in any way he could. He also helped organize a volunteer-run recycling program in Sulphur .
He was a member of AARP, the Henning Methodist Elderberries group, and the Marine League.
In 2009, Gerald moved to The Arbor Assisted Living Apartments in West Monroe where he enjoyed the friendships of many staff and residents. Also in 2009, Gerald worked passionately on his son Marcus' successful campaign for LA Supreme Court Justice.
Gerald is preceded in death by his wife, Hilda, and his son, Charles "Gary" Clark. He was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur .
Survivors include his children Ken (Carmel) Streater of Baton Rouge, Karen (Jim) Clark McManus of Chevy Chase MD, Phyllis (Mike) Granger of Sulphur, Marcus (Allyson) Clark of West Monroe; his 12 grandchildren Gwen Bourgeois, Lynne Ward, Lee Streater, Kelly Clark Young, Chad Clark, Kevin Clark, Mike McManus, Jackie McManus, Jeff McManus, Matthew Granger, Nicole Clark & Cooper Clark; 10 great grandchildren Julie, Rachel, Madeline, Joey, Ian, Jackson, Crystal, Harley, Lillianna, & Aiden; 2great, great grandchildrenand many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are by Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Jennings.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home of Sulphur, c/o LMCH, PO Box 929, Ruston, LA 71273 or to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Lake Charles Chapter, PO Box 5752, Lake Charles,LA 70606 or to the charity of your choice.
The family is deeply appreciative to the many people who gave joy and extra years to Gerald's life, with special gratitude to Dr. Floyd Jones and the entire Jones family, his other caring physicians, The Arbor staff, The Family Life Home Health staff, especially Andrea and Kelly, Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care, the West Monroe Senior Center, especially the Mexican Train and lunchtime groups, and his many friends and neighbors.
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