Clark West Giffin Jr.

Clark West Giffin, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, December 15. Clark was born in New Orleans and moved to Ascension Parish in 1962. He recently resided in Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Ruth Ann Daigle Giffin. He will be greatly missed by his children, Terri Hunter, Chuck Giffin (Clark Giffin III), Anne Giffin Higgins and David Giffin; daughters-in-law, Kathy Giffin and Rani Meyer Giffin; son-in-law, Jim Higgins; five beloved grandchildren West Giffin, and Sawyer, Savannah, and Saige Giffin; and one great-grandson, Mason Giffin. Preceded in death by his parents, Clark West Giffin, Sr and Anastasia Darcy Giffin. Clark graduated from Jesuit High School ('54) and Loyola University. He had master's degrees from LSU and Southeastern Louisiana University. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. He was a band director at St. Amant and East Ascension, as well as principal at St. Amant High School and a supervisor in Ascension Parish School Board. Clark was a long-time parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant, and recently attended St. Joseph's Cathedral in Baton Rouge. His passion was music, and he entertained many. He played with a variety of groups, from Jazz and Big Band groups growing up in New Orleans, to the Baton Rouge Concert Band, American Legion Band, and Pelican Brass Quintet later in life. On Monday, Dec. 21, a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 44450 LA-429, St. Amant, LA 70774. Family and friends are also invited to attend the visitation at the Ourso Funeral Home-Gonzales on Sunday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will follow the Mass to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Manresa House of Retreats or the Jesuits Seminary Fund in memory of Clark Giffin.