Art Clark was one of the hearty band of American patriots who annually hosted amazing performances by the team at Lest We Forget. Now, his fading band of colleagues will have one more member of their battalion to mourn. Clark died Thursday at the age of 84.
Archie "Art" Clark was a native Michigander, born in Detroit at the end of October in 1931, who went on after high school to Wayne State University and a stint in the U.S. Army as a tank commander in the Korean War. After his discharge from the U.S. military in October of 1953, Art married Carol Sutliff in Detroit in August of 1954 and they enjoyed 62 years together as husband and wife.
In 1967, Art joined the team at Whirlpool Corporation and served the firm for 23 years until his retirement in 1990 as both Assistant Treasurer to Whirlpool Corporation and Treasurer of Whirlpool Acceptance Corporation, the company's finance arm.
Art was also active in the Boy Scouts of America for more than 70 years, serving as Southwest Michigan Council President from 1981 to 1985. He earned the Eagle Scout Award, the Silver Beaver Award, and the District Award of Merit during his tenure with the Scouts. In September of 1999 he and his son Jim Clark founded Boy Scout Troop #614 at First Church of God in St. Joseph.
He also served as President of the Blossomland United Way in 1988 and was the one who approached me to ask me to head up the next campaign year for United Way. He was also President of Berrien Hills Country Club in 1997-98.
Art was a member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph where he served as a Stephen's Minister and an usher. He was president of the Korean Veteran's of Southwestern Michigan until the time of his death, was on the board of directors of the Woodworkers Guild, and a member of the Stevensville American Legion Post #568 in addition to his role with Lest We Forget.
A solid family man, Art is survived by his wife Carol, three children — James (Deb) Clark of Stevensville, Cheryl Moore of Grand Rapids, and Lois (Tom) Rusco of Milton, Georgia. He is also survived by five grand children.
A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 11am on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at First Church of God, 2627 Niles Avenue in St. Joseph, with Rev. Robert Confer officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team.
Friends may visit with the family from 5pm until 8pm on Monday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel at 2650 Niles Road in St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Veteran's Support Endowment.
