Joel Perry Clark died on Sept. 30, 2014 at his home in Bay Minette after an extended illness.
He was born May 20, 1932 in Lottie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pink Jessie Clark and Corrie Amos Clark Steel; his brothers and sisters, Maggie Clark (James) White, Clara Clark (Mark) Mayo, Horace Luman (Ida) Clark, Annis Clark (Hollis) Hall, Mattie Lou (Roy) O’Connor, Cornelia Clark (Judge) Sims, Ola Lee Clark (Howard) Smith, Lois Clark (Cecil) Brown, George W. (Ann) Clark and Jean Clark (Richard) McPhaul; and his granddaughter, Teresa Bryars (Nicholas) Ryan.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lillie Morris Clark. They celebrated life on a daily basis through the sharing of their love of the Lord, spending time with family and traveling.
He is also survived by Jack Edward Clark, Debora Clark (Kim) Youmans, Diane Clark (Chuck) Erickson, David (Champa) Golden, Karen Golden (Marcus) Peebles and Brian K. Golden; 13 grandchildren, Brooks M. (Megan) Curry, Leigh Ann Clark Lynch, Joel Edward (Natasha) Clark, Elizabeth Bryars (Jason) Lamey, Katherine Curry (Glenn) Hite, Brian P. Dunn, Charles R. Curry Jr., D. Anthony Golden, Jessica Golden, Lauren Peebles, Aubrey Peebles, Josie Golden and Kylie Golden; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Clark retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1969 after serving in Korea and Vietnam.
He founded Clark Aviation after he retired and worked at the Bay Minette Airport with his son, Jack.
In October 2000, Mr. Clark was awarded the Charles Taylor Award, a lifetime achievement award for his service to aviation. He had more than 50 years of flight experience.
At the time of his death, he was a member of Southside Baptist Church and Bay Minette Masonic Lodge 498.
He believed firmly that his salvation was the best thing that happened to him, and his service to God, family and country was a privilege, not just a responsibility.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Southside Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Larry Patterson and Chaplain Cindy Still officiating.
Burial will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery with full military honors and Masonic graveside services.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, from 6 until 8:30 p.m., at Southside Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Joe Clark, Brian Dunn, Logan Curry, Charles Curry, Brooks Curry, Alan Propst and Ben Conway.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hamilton, Donald Brown, Gene Overstreet, Autry Conway, Joe Morris, Jerry Donald, Eddie Baggett and Ray Clark.
Although the family will accept flowers, they suggest memorial contributions be made to the Southside Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 418, Bay Minette, AL 36507, or to the American Cancer Society, 19059 Greeno Road, Suite A, Fairhope, AL 36532.
Arrangements by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
