Larry Edward Clark Jr. "Junior", 42, of Largo, FL and White Bear Lake, MN departed the pollen of life on May 19, 2008 under a full moon aptly named the Flower Moon.
A native of Louisiana, Missouri, he was the son of Larry Edward Clark Sr. and Rose Smith Sidwell. Larry is also survived by his sister Crystal Lang, half-brother Bobby Gene Wood, and half-sisters Sherawn Kindle and Misty Johnson. He was preceded by his younger brother Chucky.
Larry’s dedication to duty in the service of his country was realized by being a true sailor. First assigned to Pearl Harbor aboard the historical USS Florican ASR9, soon he embraced an active career as a boatswains mate at North Island Naval Air Station on Coronado, California. He always accepted the challenge to serve beyond his capacity. As a coxswain, he was both responsible for the admirals gig and captains launch while tirelessly volunteering for the odd dive mission at 0300 with the navy seals somewhere off the coast of southern California. He nobly honored those who preceded him as part of the color guard and has been decorated by Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and William Jefferson Clinton including a presidential commendation and numerous letters of appreciation. All of these duties were served while humbly attending to docking team requirements of the fleet of 3 aircraft carriers and the subsequent thousands of sailors that called them home while in port at NASNI. After retiring from the Navy, Larry’s design potential and exceptional attention to detail served him to excel in management for both regional and national corporations. His sense of adventure made him as at home rocking at a Fleetwood Mac concert or fine dining in Napa Valley.
Larry dedicated himself to his terriers as they were his children with four legs. His ability to see the virtue of every situation and make everyone he encountered feel as though they have met a friend for life was almost a magical power. His smile always warmed everyone’s soul and laugh was an infectious "ha-Ha!" that brought joy each time you mimicked it. Larry welcomed the good of life and made the most of the years the earth entertained his enchanted soul. His charm brought delight to everyone he encountered, and his thrilling spirit will be thought of often. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the American Cancer Society.
The ever after will never be the same as your soul no doubt burst onto the scene with your overactive exuberance. As I sit and ponder the millions of special times that you brought to the puppies and me, I canâ??t help but smile for it is your ability to make each moment of life a wondrous occasion that has captivated my heart. Your personality always danced its way into everything you touched allowing the inner beauty to bloom forth as the flowers in the gardens that surrounded our homes. Your strength to live life on your terms and acceptance of no less than perfect is how you distinguished yourself and I will always admire and try to emulate and know I will never be able to duplicate. I will miss you Larry Clark and never forget your strength of character that graced you with the wisdom to see only the best in others and bring happiness to this earth. Three squeezes, Steve, Happy, Samantha and Drucilla.
Where does one begin to share about someone who has been such a profound influence in your life? My dearest friend Larry, life will be so empty without you…your love, honesty, generosity of spirit and PASSION for life has made mine so enjoyable to live having you in it. I have never known anyone who could fill a room with laughter like you and who left such an enormous imprint on everyone he meets! My deep sorrow in losing you so soon is only comforted by all our many, many wonderful memories of joy, happiness, extreme fun and the ever Larry ha-HA laugh ringing in my ears. I will miss you each and every day….rest in peace, my angel, until we meet again.
I do not know where to begin. Larry has been a father, mentor, and friend to me throughout my entire life. He was always there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to the happenings in my life. He took me on adventures and definitely spoiled me. He deemed me Miss Thang at the age of 10. He has brought so much joy and love to my life. He has taken many of my silly, teen-aged secrets with him wherever he is. Larry will love on through my life as I am a little piece of him.
With a resounding ha-HAH!
I love you, Larry Grey Bird.
-the F.F.P.
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing away, but glad that his stugle with health is over. I am sure that he will be missed greatly by his family, Steve and dogs.
Toni Whitney, cousin of Steve
Sweet Larry,
I will never forget our first meeting and Easter together. We just knew we were going to be “Family.”
And, even though you were sick that last day we spent together, you kept on joking and trying to be “Larry Boy.” I will treasure that memory and so many more of times spent with you, Steve and the “kids.”
Larry, your eternal joy and power to see the best and brightest in all of us will never be forgotten. Neither will that mischievious glint in your eye or the cute way you’d crack that beautiful smile of yours.
I am so thankful to have come out when I did and to have spent what time we had together.
I’ll remember you with great joy the rest of my life. And, Steve and the “kids” will always have a place in my heart too.
I’ll look for you when I get to that glorious beach we spoke of.
With My Love Always,
Maggie
When I think of Larry, I can fondly recall being bathed in those huge warm brown eyes, and yes,being rocked into joy by his wonderful laugh.I am so blessed to have know him. What a brave and rich spirit. Good-bye Larry Edward Clark,Jr.
Larry will be missed, and loved always…
What a joy it was to meet Larry and his family. They will remain in my heart forever.
I only knew Larry for a short time, but he was such a joy to be around. He will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace!!
Thinking of Larry will always bring a smile to my face remembering how he could truely enjoy everything in life.
Steven
Sunday last, I was asking Louis if he had heard anything about you guy’s welfare. I truly understand your loss, This is a loss for all of us. Keep in touch. Rick
The first time I met Larry was over the phone. We talked for over 2 hours and our friendship was sealed from that point forward. I felt like I was talking to an old friend. He was family from day one. There are few people with whom I have laughed as hard and as long, as I did with Larry. It was during a trip to Bemidji, MN that he and I shared the back seat of a rental car, that he fondly acquired the nickname â??Larsâ??. While our Fenske counter-parts quietly and stoically occupied the front seats, Lars and I chatted almost non-stop, sometimes laughing ourselves to tears. Our times together were always like that. His passing has left a hole in my heart but knowing him has made my heart and life fuller. I think of him every time I open the door to our refrigerator and view the collection of outrageous magnets he inspired me to start. I will carry his spirit with me on every rollercoaster and bungee-cord ride I take.
In the short time I was blessed to know Larry, I felt his warmth and love in abundance, as if we had been friends for a lifetime. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Larry was a wonderful neighbor and friend, he is greatly missed. I want all who read this to know that Larry is very much alive in my herbal garden, in our flower gardens, basically, all over the yard… Larry would often lend a hand whenever he saw my husband and I working outside. Steve and Larry gave us unusual types of aloe and gorgeous tropical flowering plants that we enjoy on a daily basis. His wonderful sense of humor and personality warmed our hearts and our neighborhood. Larry also decorated the inside of the little country church we were married in, he shared his artistic flair, God given gifts and talents with us. We got many compliments on his work. Larry will be missed by all of his neighbors and friends but a part of him lives on in many, many ways.
We rang in the new year together, barbequed together, ran on the trail together, exchanged Christmas cookies, laughed, yelled at the dogs, laughed at the neighbors, and laughed some more.
Larry is tending a much larger garden now, in a peaceful, beautiful, light and love filled place, better than the human mind could ever, ever imagine…
It was such an honor and privilege to get to know Larry. A very happy go lucky type and we had such a good time when we went to Florida and I got to know him better. We will miss him but we are happy he didn’t have to suffer any longer. Peace be with him.
Larry,
It’s still hard to believe you’re gone, baby. I was looking at our last photos together, then got out our first year photos. Oh, what fun we had!
I’ll forever miss your wonderful sense of humor and look forward to our next “walk on the beach