Larry Raymond Clark

Larry was born on February 1, 1933 in Rock Island, IL to Marie and Daniel Clark. He was a good student and joined the Navy after high school in 1951. He served as a sonar operator on the USS Manta and the USS Ray which were both Diesel Submarines during the Korean war. He was discharged in 1954, and he and his first wife, Marilyn Anderson had two sons Mike and Mark. While living in Austin Texas, Larry became an insurance salesman with Prudential Life Insurance Company. His sales experience led him to the paper industry with Monarch Paper Co. He eventually became District Manager, and as the company grew, it was sold to Alco Standard where he became Vice President of Unisource Paper Co. Taking advantage of an early retirement opportunity, Larry joined his current wife Jean’s business, Clark Papers, in charge of sales. The company was remarkably successful, and after 22 years of operation, Larry and Jean were able to retire in 2015. During this time, the couple moved from Austin to Rusk, Texas in 1996, where they bought a historic home and turned part of the property into a Bed & Breakfast where they continued operating the paper business. Larry came to know his Lord and Savior in 2006. This life changing event had a profound effect on Larry. He realized that he could no longer live life for himself and came to understand that he needed a Savior. His life was transformed, and he became focused on serving others. A merciful God made Larry into a “new creation” who sought to serve Him out of gratitude for this life changing work. Larry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jean Clark of Hideaway, Texas; and much loved family including; son Mark Clark and daughter-in-law, Laurie of Salem, Alabama; step-son Ted Huffhines and daughter-in-law, Angela of Marshall, Texas; step-son John Huffhines of Hideaway, Texas; and grandchildren Brian Clark, and wife Kayleigh of Columbus, Alabama; Whitney Shelton, and husband Neil of Memphis, Tennessee; Riley Clark of Atlanta, Georgia; Daniel Clark, and wife Kaitlyn of Little Rock, Arkansas; Holly Balda, and husband Brad of Prosper, Texas; Heather Hill, and husband Garrett of Marshall, Texas. Larry is also survived by great-grand-children McKee Clark, Walter Clark, Lydia June Shelton and Margaret (Meg) Hill. Larry also leaves behind many friends here and those who were there to greet him at Heaven’s door including beloved pets, Dixie, Dover, Tom Boy, and Chloe. In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Mercy Ships or John Piper’s Desiring God Ministry. https://donate.mercyships.org/, https://give.desiringgod.org/.

Larry Raymond Clark

February 1, 1933 - June 30, 2021