Daryn Clark

Daryn Ray Clark

Daryn Ray Clark, 51, of Homer, Louisiana, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family and friends on Saturday, July 20, 2013, after a year-long fight with gliomatosis cerebri, a rare form of brain cancer. A memorial service to celebrate Daryn's life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013, at 2:00 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Minden, Louisiana, with a reception for friends and family in the parish hall after the service.

Daryn was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on June 30, 1962. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe where he graduated with a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. In his short life, he accomplished many things. Most importantly, he was a devoted and loving husband and father to his wife of 27 years, Leslie, and three children, Barrett, Kathleen, and Mary Laura. Daryn began his career at the Caddo-Bossier Association for Retarded Citizens (C-BARC) which eventually led him to founding his company, Southern Ingenuity, Inc., in 1991, in order to serve the developmentally disabled and aging citizens of Louisiana. He was very dedicated to helping others through his work, but still made it a priority to live life to its fullest. Daryn was an accomplished saxophone player - one of his most treasured memories was playing with the Van Gones band at Tipitina's in New Orleans. He also loved martial arts achieving the level of 5th degree black belt in Isshinryu Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Jujitsu, never missing an opportunity to promote the sport. His interest in overall physical fitness prompted him to start the www.WhatsYourFight.com web site. Although initially dedicated to fitness, the site's purpose morphed into raising money to find new treatment options for rare and inoperable brain tumors. He was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, serving on various committees and the vestry. Daryn was a dedicated member of the Claiborne Academy school family and served in many capacities including President of the Board.

Daryn was preceded in death by his grandparents, Barrett & Doris Clark and Clement & Naydia Messerli. He is survived by his parents, Charles and Sheilah Clark; his wife, Leslie Banks Clark; his children, Barrett, Kathleen, and Mary Laura Clark; brother, Chris Clark and wife Cheryl Lea; sister, Julie Gill and husband John; mother and father-in-law, Monte and James Banks; sister-in-law and husband, Beth and Brandon Bueche; numerous nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the many friends that have reached out during this year-long battle especially Dr. Scott Haynes and Dr. Maria Haynes, Dr. Chad Hargan, Cynthia Combs, and Rhonda Shively. Daryn's legacy will live on through his organ donation to benefit brain cancer research. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations on his behalf be sent to WCMC Pediatric Brain and Spine Center (Elizabeth's Hope), c/o Ana Ignat, 525 East 68th St., Box 99, New York, NY 10065 - a group dedicated to finding cures for inoperable brain tumors in children and adolescents.