Charles Spurgeon (Spud) Clark

Charles “Spud” Clark, 92, of Jonesboro passed away at his home on Saturday, January 18th.

He was born August 20, 1921 in Lake City, Arkansas and grew up in Jonesboro. He was a graduate of Arkansas State College.

Spud proudly served his country for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. During World War II, he was a B-24 bomber pilot and flew 30 combat missions over Germany and other occupied countries. His military awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, among others.

Spud retired from the New York Life Insurance Company as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) after 36 years. He was a Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where he taught a men’s Sunday school class for many years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian and served as past president of the Rotary Club of Jonesboro. He also served in numerous civic organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Spurgeon and Bonnie Clark.

Spud is survived by Pat, his wife of 68 years; sons Gary (Melanie) of Jonesboro and David (Janice) of Black Rock; daughter Lisa (Mike) Barber of Jonesboro; brother Denver (Dode) of St. Louis, Missouri; sister-in-law Francis Moser of Kingsport, Tennessee; grandchildren Kelley (Mark) Coca of Maumelle, Alyssa (Nick) Van Bebber of Hot Springs, Brian Clark of Portia, Sara (Anthony) Hawkins of Imboden and Nate Clark of Black Rock; step-grandchildren Gary Kellett, Jr. (Kellie), Sidney McWilliams (Mike), Jennifer Giles (Gary) and Brian Kellett (Jennifer); and twenty great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time on Tuesday. Burial will be private with grandsons serving as pallbearers.

A special thanks goes to caregiver Regina Stender for her faithful service in providing comfort and care. For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, please consider the First Baptist Church Care Center, 701 South Main Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.