Russell Clark

Harry Russell Clark, 79, of Wilmington, NC died Monday, March 5, 2012 at his residence. He was born in Bladen County, NC on February 2, 1933, the son of the late Eugene Bernard and Lucy Norris Clark. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Clark. Russell graduated from New Hanover High School, Class of 1952. He proudly served our country in the U S Army from 1953 – 1955, and was stationed in Japan, where he rose to the rank of SSgt. Following his discharge from the service, he graduated Wilmington College in 1956. He was very proud of our community and served it well through being a member of the Wilmington Kiwanis Club for 50 years, serving as president in 1977, co-chairman of the New Hanover County Human Relations Week in 1975, and president of the North Carolina Azalea Festival in 1978. Russell served on the UNC Educational Foundation Board of Directors in 2001, and president of the Cape Fear Club in 2005. His memberships, past and present, include Wilmington Merchants Association, Carolina Yacht Club, Historic Wilmington Foundation, and Residents of Old Wilmington. Russell was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, where he taught Sunday School and served on the Vestry. He was an oil jobber for 49 years, most of which he was general manager with Springer-Eubank Oil Company. Most recently, he was employed with L and T General Enterprises as office manager. His love and loyalty to the Tar Heels was surpassed only by that for his family. Surviving are his son, Howard Russell Clark and wife Beverly; daughter, Caroline Clark Shields and husband Jeremy, both of Wilmington, NC; two brothers, Philip B. Clark of San Diego, CA, and Robert E. Clark, and wife Ruth, of Indianapolis, IN; a grandson, Christopher Russell Clark of Boone, NC; and two granddaughters, Holly Paige Clark and Sophie Elizabeth Shields, both of Wilmington, NC. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Thursday, March 8, 2012 at St. James Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in the St. Francis Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends from 6 PM until 8 PM Wednesday, at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel. The family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Hansley family. Memorials may be made to The Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to St. James Episcopal Church, 25 South Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.