Gary
Gary Alvin Clark
d. December 24, 2016
Gary Alvin Clark died on Saturday December 24th at home.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Marlene Winkler Clark, to whom he was married for thirty-nine years until her death in 1992, and his second wife, Donna Schewel Clark, to whom he was married for twenty-two years until her death in 2015. Gary is survived by one son, Jordan Schewel Clark of Lynchburg, two daughters, Denise Clark-Jones of Peoria, Illinois, and Julie Schewel Clark of Lynchburg, one grandson, William Clark-Jones, and two granddaughters, Jenna and Jillian Embrey.
Gary was born June 18, 1935, in Lenoir North Carolina, the son of Zachriah and Elnora Clark, and grew up on a farm. He graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1957, and earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Education from Duke University in 1969 and 1972. During the late sixties and the early days of desegregation, he served as principal of Enloe High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. His banning of the playing of “Dixie” by the schools’ marching band in response to white students’ uproarious conduct at pep rallies prompted Jesse Helms to label him a “traitor to the South” on a local television station.
Gary and Marlene moved to Lynchburg in the mid-seventies when he was named Assistant Superintendant of the City Schools, a position he held for twenty years. After retiring, he served as Executive Director of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.
After their marriage in 1993, Gary and Donna were not content with a quiet solitary companionship. They welcomed into their family and raised two lovely, compassionate, and independent children, Jordan and Julie.
Gary had many hobbies and interests to keep him busy during his later years. He was a skilled craftsman who worked countless hours improving his former home on Burnt Bridge Drive and his getaway lodge at Wintergreen. He was an adept skier who taught the sport to his granddaughters and a low handicap golfer well known for his booming drives off the Boonsboro Country Club tees. He enjoyed many hours winning and losing at gin rummy in the locker room after finishing up those eighteen holes. He loved all things Duke, especially basketball, and never turned down a glass of Jim Beam.
Gary’s family would like to extend special thanks to his faithful caregiver, Beverly Horsley.
Following a private service, the family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home on Monday, December 26th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Marlene Winkler Clark, to whom he was married for thirty-nine years until her death in 1992, and his second wife, Donna Schewel Clark, to whom he was married for twenty-two years until her death in 2015. Gary is survived by one son, Jordan Schewel Clark of Lynchburg, two daughters, Denise Clark-Jones of Peoria, Illinois, and Julie Schewel Clark of Lynchburg, one grandson, William Clark-Jones, and two granddaughters, Jenna and Jillian Embrey.
Gary was born June 18, 1935, in Lenoir North Carolina, the son of Zachriah and Elnora Clark, and grew up on a farm. He graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1957, and earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Education from Duke University in 1969 and 1972. During the late sixties and the early days of desegregation, he served as principal of Enloe High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. His banning of the playing of “Dixie” by the schools’ marching band in response to white students’ uproarious conduct at pep rallies prompted Jesse Helms to label him a “traitor to the South” on a local television station.
Gary and Marlene moved to Lynchburg in the mid-seventies when he was named Assistant Superintendant of the City Schools, a position he held for twenty years. After retiring, he served as Executive Director of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.
After their marriage in 1993, Gary and Donna were not content with a quiet solitary companionship. They welcomed into their family and raised two lovely, compassionate, and independent children, Jordan and Julie.
Gary had many hobbies and interests to keep him busy during his later years. He was a skilled craftsman who worked countless hours improving his former home on Burnt Bridge Drive and his getaway lodge at Wintergreen. He was an adept skier who taught the sport to his granddaughters and a low handicap golfer well known for his booming drives off the Boonsboro Country Club tees. He enjoyed many hours winning and losing at gin rummy in the locker room after finishing up those eighteen holes. He loved all things Duke, especially basketball, and never turned down a glass of Jim Beam.
Gary’s family would like to extend special thanks to his faithful caregiver, Beverly Horsley.
Following a private service, the family will receive friends at Tharp Funeral Home on Monday, December 26th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Alvin Clark, please visit our flower store.
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