A. Clark Scanlon

1928 - 2021

SCANLON, A. Clark, 92, joyously arose to meet his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Those who will deeply miss his cheerful ways include his sweetheart of almost 68 years, Sarah Martin Scanlon; son, Michael Clark Scanlon (Kent Reilly III) of Austin, Texas; daughter, Sharon Estelle "Sherri" Spivey (Tom) and granddaughter, Annie of Richmond, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, Lewis Martin Jr. and Becky Martin; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Scanlon; and sister, Kathleen "Peggy" Jones. Clark was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 5, 1928, to Lena Yvonne and John Joseph Scanlon. An Eagle Scout, A. Clark graduated from Baylor University and received his doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1953, Clark and Sarah were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Guatemala, where they served for many years in education and church planting before Clark assumed administrative roles in Middle America and the Caribbean. Following 27 years in the field, the Scanlons relocated to Richmond, Va., where Clark served at the home office of the Foreign Mission Board, SBC, retiring from global travel and leadership as Director of Research and Planning in 1995 after 41 years of service. Clark and Sarah were active in First Baptist Church, Richmond, where he lovingly taught the Roundtable Sunday School Class for 14 years. They also served at Derbyshire Baptist; were founding members of Gayton Baptist; and interim pastor at Monte Calvario Baptist Mission. Clark's great joy was serving as friend and prayer leader for his beloved Western Henrico Rotary Club. He was an avid neighborhood walker and member of Tuckahoe YMCA. In retirement, Dr. Scanlon helped in church growth strategy studies in Cambodia, Mexico and Peru; served on the World Evangelization Strategy task force of the Baptist World Alliance; worked on a commentary on the book of Job in Spanish; started authoring two books; and served as a hospice volunteer and chaplain. In his words, "I did not choose to be a minister. I have a deep conviction that God chose me. The words of Jesus, 'you did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit—a fruit that will last.' (John 15:16, NIV) That conviction provides richness and satisfaction in my life." In early mornings, Clark prayed, read his Bible aloud and quoted as his mother before him, "The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings!" (Robert Louis Stevenson). Warm thanks to Tasha, Celia, Barbra, Latoyoa and Sunrise of Richmond for their loving care. A private visitation and burial will be held February 4, 2021, with a Celebration of Life to follow at a later date. Online condolences may be registered at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.