Obituary of Charles Thomas Clark
Charles T. “Tom” Clark departed this life for his eternal home on February 14, 2019. He was born in Tunnelton, WV, on August 22, 1921, the son of the late Charles A. and Minnie G. (Squires) Clark.
Tom is survived by his wife, Betty Jean McMillan Clark. They married December 13, 1946. Two sisters, Janna May Westfall and husband, Jerry, of Clarksburg, WV, and Mary Sue Spahr and husband, Phil, of Fairborn, OH, also survive Tom. Living to cherish his memory are four daughters: Linda Van Horn and husband Dennis of Clarksburg and Arcadia, FL; Dr. Nancy McClure and husband, Jeff, Lost Creek, WV; Martha Clark and companion, Dave Compton, Clarksburg; and Jan Sullivan and husband, Tom, also of Clarksburg. In addition, Tom Clark is survived by grandsons Charles Allen “Chad” Ford and wife, Becky; Ryan Sullivan; Andrew Sullivan and fiancé Lacey Lillard; and two granddaughters, Susan Ford Headley and husband, Mike; and Allison McClure and companion, Brian Liptock. Tom has four great-grandsons: Wylie and Wyatt Ford and Michael and Tyler Headley, along with several nephews and nieces and wonderful neighbors, whom he loved.
Tom was preceded in death by one brother, Keith Underwood Clark, and sister-in-law, Dovey Whisner Clark.
Tom was pleased that all four of his daughters lived only a few miles from his Maple Lake residence. He greatly enjoyed the family’s frequent get-togethers, and, especially, the July 4th picnic, when many of his and Betty’s extended family came from several states to visit. Tom extended his July 4th invitation to new and old friends as well as his Maple Lake family.
In 1939, Tom graduated from Washington Irving High School. He then attended WV Business College. In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was proud to have served in the Solomon Islands and Guam in WWII. As a reserve, he was released in 1950 and spent another year of active duty but saw no foreign service.
People who knew Tom during his younger years will remember his singing. In 1938, he was one of the original Clarksburg Madrigal singers. He soloed, too, at many social and club functions. He played major roles in musicals presented by the community theatre group, the Stagecrafters.
Tom loved the hills and woods of WV. In his younger years, he spent many fall days in those woods hunting squirrels, ginseng, and yellow root. In the springtime, he loved hunting morel mushrooms and searching for arrowheads and other artifacts when the fields were newly plowed.
In lieu of flowers, Tom asks that you donate to his favorite charity, The Salvation Army, 1010 South Chestnut Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the Committal Shelter of the West Virginia National Cemetery, Pruntytown, WV on Friday, February 22, 2019 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Paula Flint presiding. The United State Marines and the Harrison County Honor Guard will provide full military rites.
Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
The Clark family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV.
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