Thomas “Joe” C. Clark, Sr., 95, died on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at his home in Winchester, Virginia.
Mr. Clark was born in Jefferson County, West Virginia in 1922, the son of the late Harvey M. and Geneva Clark. He worked at Patton’s Movers for 28 years before becoming the owner and operator of Clark’s Transfer from 1972 to 1988.
Sergeant Clark proudly served his country during WWII in the 180th Infantry 45th Division of the United States Army. He was awarded the following medals and badges during his tour of Sicily, Naples and Angio Beach, Rome: a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, American Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon and WWII Victory medal.
Mr. Clark was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles 824 for fifty years, a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2123, where he served on the Honor Guard for 51 years, the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9, and the Moose Lodge 1283 for 48 years. He was also a member of Montague Avenue United Methodist Church.
His wife, Elsie Clark, whom he married on November 3, 1967 in Winchester, Virginia preceded him in death on November 8, 1991.
Surviving is his faithful companion of 27 years and caregiver, Lillian Orndoff; daughter, Cynthia Parker (Glen) of Stephens City, Virginia; son, Thomas Clark, Jr. (Beverley) of Winchester, Virginia; grandchildren, Tina Hillyard and Robbie Clark both of Winchester, Virginia; two great grandchildren; sisters, Wanda Gray of Berryville, Virginia and Daisy Copp of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; stepchildren, Monroe Heishman, Betty A. Strawderman and Nancy L. Poston; seven step grandchildren; as well as great friends, Sherry and Leonard Heltzel, and Steven M. Largent.
Along with his parents and wife, Elsie, he was preceded in death by sisters, Pauline Garnett, Dorothy Baylis, Elsie Clark, Patricia Clark, and Garnet McCarty and brothers, Herman, Preston, Vernon and Roy Clark.
In his own words, Mr. Clark “made his home with Lillian Orndoff, a dear companion of 27 years. She took care of me when I couldn’t. Thank the Lord for her.”
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel followed with a funeral service at 1 p.m. Reverend Anthony “Pete” Wadsworth will be officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park, Winchester, Virginia.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Gene Clark, Charles McCarty, Jr., Eddy Newcome, Leonard Heltzel, Randy Gray, and Wayne Clark. An honorary pallbearer will be Steven Largent.
Memorial donations in memory of Joe may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia 22601 or VFW Post 2123, 1021 Reliance Road, Middletown, Virginia 22645.