Born October 11, 1920, in Cleveland, Tenn., Dr. Clark was an active alumnus of Hume-Fogg High School in Nashville, Tenn. He received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Tennessee, his MA from Tulane University, and his PhD in 1956 from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Dr. Kathryn Bullington Clark, who served as chair of the business department at Stillman College. She died in 1993. He is survived by his sons, Lawrence James Clark (Maureen Duggan) of Albany, N.Y., and David Clark (Deborah) of Colorado Springs, and by his brothers, Thomas Grant Clark (Barbara) of Maryville, Tenn., and D. Gene Clark (Helen Erle) of Nashville.
Dr. Clark was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He joined the University of Alabama faculty in 1947, rising from philosophy instructor to full professor. He served for many years as UA's associate dean of Arts and Sciences. A former president of the Southeastern Academic Affairs Administrators, he was active in the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club and is listed as a notable educator in Who's Who. Before embarking on an academic career, Dr. Clark was a reporter for the (Nashville) Tennessean.
When his boys were young, Dr. Clark took them and his nephews on numerous camping trips out West. During his tenure at UA he was proud to be acquainted with Coach Paul Bryant and to accompany the football team as a chaperone. After retiring from UA, he traveled extensively, visiting six continents and taking numerous sea cruises.
Services will be 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, Skyland Blvd., with Rev. Dan Kilgore, First United Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive visitors at Memory Chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. Private internment will follow at a later time.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Clark's nephews, Len Bullington of Madison, Ala., Christopher Clark of Ghent, N.Y., Matthew Clark of Johnson City, Tenn., and Mike Henderson of Nashville, Tenn.; colleague and friend Jim Dudgeon of Tuscaloosa; and long-time family friend Bill Fitts of Tuscaloosa.
The family is grateful for the care Dr. Clark received at Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa and at Heritage Health and Rehab. The family owes a special thank-you to Cedric Stewart, medical assistant, who, along with his staff, took excellent care of Dr. Clark during the past eight months. The family is also grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. Regina Harrell, geriatrician.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Black Warrior Council, 2700 Jack Warner Pkwy, McAbee Scout Svc Ctr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404, or to Alabama Public Television, 2112 11th Ave So, Ste 400, Birmingham, AL 35205
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