Edmund Clark Jr.

Edmund Burke Clark, Jr. MATTHEWS - It has been said, "He never met a stranger." No matter whom he met, whether mailman, store clerk, bank teller, or complete stranger, the gregarious Ed Clark spent time engaging individuals in conversation or pleasant teases. Edmund Burke Clark, Jr. of Matthews, NC passed away on February 8, 2016, from complications of pneumonia. He was 94 years old. Ed was the eldest son of the late E. B. Clark, Sr. and Laura Belle Taylor Clark. He was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and graduated from Central High School in 1939. He was a member of the Citadel's "Class That Never Was," the Class of 1944. In that Class's junior year, the entire class was commissioned 2nd Lieutenants and loaded onto a train and infused into the U. S. Army for the duration of WW II. After the war, Ed returned to graduate from the Citadel in 1947. He remained in the U. S. Army Reserves and served again on active duty during the Korean War. After military service for 13 years, Ed was District Manager in seven states for a division of the General Electric Company and then for 27 years was a Manufacturer's Agent representing several companies in the electrical industry. Ed married his teenage sweetheart, Betty Lois Carriker Clark, in July 1944. He was devoted to her, visited often, and supported her through her Alzheimer's condition. He is survived by Betty, two loving daughters, Carol Ann O'Brien, Laura Elizabeth Clark, two grandsons, Richard O'Brien, Christopher O'Brien, and two great-grandchildren, Ayden and Grace O'Brien, all of Matthews. He is also survived by his brother William Alston Clark of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and sister Alice Clark of Concord. His hobbies were golf, fishing, hunting, and traveling. Betty and Ed loved traveling and going to Panthers games. They both were officers in the North Carolina Airstream Club and led four Caravans across the US and Canada. They traveled 49 of the United States and most of the Canadian Provinces. They were away from home six months at a time for eight years volunteering as campground hosts at two State Parks in Haines, Alaska. As hosts, they greeted some 10,000 campers, advising them of everything the parks had to offer: the best views, the best fishing spots, and how to deal with a chance meeting of a grizzly bear. He was a member of the Fayetteville, NC Exchange Club and president of the Charlotte Lions Club. He served several terms as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He became a passionate member of Matthews United Methodist Church in the 1990s. He often expressed the love and support that were provided by Matthews United Methodist Church members and staff. Ed considered two honors to be significant. In 1938 he was selected "The Carrier of the Year" for the Charlotte Observer and won a trip with 248 other nationwide carriers. In 2009 he was honored to have been selected to make the "Flight of Honor" visit to the WW II Memorial in Washington, DC sponsored by the Charlotte Rotary Club. The family would like to thank Dr. Rudisel, Dr. Phillips, and Dr. Neuman and staff for their care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Matthew UMC Daily Bread Missions or your local Alzheimer's Association Organization. Memorial Service, Friday at 11 AM, at Matthews United Methodist Church with military honors. Family will receive friends following the service Friday at Matthews United Methodist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Indian Trail Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.heritagecares.com.