Charles L Clark

It is with heavy hearts we announce the patriarch of our family, Charles L. Clark, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 30 , 2020 at his home in Columbia, VA.  He was born on October 23 , 1936 in Irvington, NJ and grew up in that area with his mother, father and siblings.

On February 15 , 1956, he married Charlotte A. Mitchell, his best friend.  They raised 3 daughters, 3 sons, a grandson and went on to foster more children in their later years.   He was the Maintenance and Distrib uting Manager for Jack Bakers/Chefs International East Coast Operations located in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ and spent 27 years with the company.  He dedicated his life to working for his family until his retirement in 1996.  Mr. Clark moved from Ne w Jersey to Virginia in 1999 where he enjoyed his retirement with his beloved wife.

To our very own “Dean Martin”, gentle and gruff, dashing and kind, a rebel with blue eyes brighter than the sea, and a loving demeanor, filling our hearts with jokes and stories to share for generations to come.  He was exciting, strong, handsome, with infectious charisma, the gift of gab, kind eyes and an endearing smile.  We will miss his laugh, silly tacky jokes, stubbornness, strong-willed and relentless energy.  He t aught us more than he will ever realize, and we will respectfully cherish every memory given.  From professional frisbee-moves, to camping in Knoebels, winters in Vermont, Merle Haggard serenades and of course those amazing dance moves.  Your love for you r family was evident as you shared all that you knew.  Our memories will hold onto our cookouts, #1 mac and cheese, rum swizzles, game shows, football games, trains, go-karts and love of your music.   Mostly we will never forget your wisdom, ability to pr oblem-solve, your hard work ethic and your forthright opinions.  Let ’ s face it - you were Google before Google was ever invented and you always “did it your way”.

You have filled us with respect for your wisdom and accomplishments, with gratitude for t he value you’ve given us, and with the delight in the stories of our family that they remember and share. For this we are forever grateful and will miss you terribly.  Love to you Pops ~~~ Love to you Dad ~~~ Love to you always Poppy ~~~ Love to you Brother .

His heart never left his wife, and he is now and forever will be with his Midgie .  If you close your eyes you can see them now singing sweetly to yet another duet swaying softly to the lyrics, “ There’s nothing really to it, it’s easy, we love each other s o. And w e always will , and I know. ”

He is survived by his two sons, Charles Clark and Timothy Clark ; his three daughters, Kathryn McCauley, Beverly Odell and Marie-Elena Gensel ; a foster child and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by hi s two siblings , a brother , Jon “Pat” Clark and sister, Mary Francine Charniga .

Charlie will be greatly missed by his family as his life will be forever cherished in the lives of his 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 foster chi ld.

Family, friends, and others who knew Charles L. Clark are invited to the Sheridan Funeral Home, 4626 Cedar Lane Road, Kents Store, VA, 23084 , from 1 – 3 pm on Saturday, November 7 , 2020 , to reminisce, grieve and support each other.

In Loving Memory

Charles L. Clark ~

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Brother

God saw you getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you and whispered,

“Come to me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away,

And although we l oved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.