Paul W. Clark
Paul W. Clark, 77, of Portsmouth, went to be with the Lord and Savior whom he served for over 60 years on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born October 7, 1943 to the late Lawson T. and Ellora (Jenkins) Clark in his grandmother’s bedroom in Portsmouth. Paul was a living example of the change that God can make in a person’s life.
Paul graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1963. As a teen, he worked as a paperboy for the Portsmouth Daily Times. He was also employed at the former Railway Express Agency for four years and he retired from Columbia Gas of Ohio as a leakage inspector after 30 years.
Paul was a devoted husband to his wife, Karen Diane Sally Clark, for 56 years. The couple met when they were ages 13 and 16 and instantly fell in love, marrying on October 10, 1964 in Portsmouth.
He was also a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. In addition to his wife, Diane, he is also survived by a son, Adam (Kelly) Clark of Mt. Vernon; a sister, Mary Clark (David) McQuay of Wheelersburg; three grandchildren, Brandon (Anita) Clark, Allison (Johnny) Medina and Morgan (Daniel) Medina, all of San Diego, CA; a brand-new great-grandson, Nathan Clark, also of San Diego; a step-grandson, Josh Farrar of Gahanna; two sisters-in-law, Joan Clark of Portsmouth and Bonnie Clark of Wheelersburg; and many nieces, nephews and their families, whom he loved deeply.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Michael Todd Clark; two brothers, Richard and David Clark; and a sister, Betty Clark Dupuy.
Paul was a true “Man of God”, whose goal was to bring honor to Jesus.
He began teaching Sunday School at the age of 16 when he was given his first class of 9-year-old boys. A gifted singer, Paul served as a soloist for many years. He also traveled with the Crystal River Quartet singing and spreading God’s word through the gift of music. He was the Minister of Music at Wheelersburg’s Cornerstone Nazarene Church for 20 years. He also led a Men’s Meeting for 20 years at the New Boston Church of the Nazarene. They met monthly with a buffet dinner and special speakers, and averaged 40-60 men. He loved this opportunity to serve the other Christian men in this area. Paul also drove church busses, took the boys from Sunday School on bike hikes and outings. A member of Rubyville Community Church, he also served on the church board, sang in the choir and shared Jesus with everyone he met.
Paul was the greatest witness for Jesus that his wife, Diane, had ever seen. When he was nearing the end of his life, with all the strength he could muster, he was witnessing to the SOMC Hospice chaplain. Diane told Chaplain Coriell “You have now met who Paul Clark really is!”
Funeral services will Facebook Live Stream be held at 5 PM Sunday at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Reverends Calvin Ray Evans and Brian Baer officiating. To join the Live Stream, please visit the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home Facebook page.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 5 P.M. Due to the national health crisis, masks will be required and social distancing will be observed at all times.
Interment will be Monday at 11 A.M. in Memorial Burial Park in Wheelersburg. Those attending should gather at the funeral home Monday at 10:15 A.M.
Memorial contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201-25th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
“Our great loss is heaven’s gain.”
