Duane Petty Clark

Duane Petty Clark passed away at the age of 90 on March 17, 2025 in Nashville, TN. He was born on December 11, 1934, in Giles County, TN, first child of the late Leslie Fox Clark and Helen Brownlow Clark.

Duane grew up on the family farm, where he developed a strong work ethic while milking cows, driving the tractor, and helping with daily chores. After graduating from Cornersville High School, he spent four years working before pursuing higher education. Determined and hardworking, he put himself through college, earning a degree in Industrial Arts from Middle Tennessee State University in just three years.

After graduating from college, Duane moved to Nashville, where he served in the Air National Guard before beginning his lifelong career at Genesco. It was in Nashville that he met the love of his life, Nancy Horner, on a blind date. The two quickly formed an unbreakable bond and married in 1962, eventually settling in South Nashville to build a life together.

Duane dedicated 40 years of his life to the shoe manufacturing industry, where he became a trailblazer and an innovator. As a senior engineer at Genesco, he was instrumental in the adoption of CAD/CAM systems, which revolutionized the entire shoe manufacturing process. Duane's expertise and visionary approach earned him the opportunity to speak at international conferences, where he shared his knowledge and insights, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

After retiring, Duane embarked on a second career in computer programming, designing custom software for small trucking companies. His passion for problem-solving, combined with his desire to help others, made him a valued resource for friends in the trucking industry.

Faith was a cornerstone of Duane's life, and he was a lifelong member and devoted deacon at Antioch Church of Christ. He took great pride in his work on the Building and Grounds Committee, dedicating countless hours to renovations and outdoor improvements. One of his most cherished contributions was serving as the chief cook for the annual Christmas Eve Men's Pancake Breakfast, a tradition that brought joy to many. Duane also found deep fellowship as a member of the Beacon Class and the 39ers group, where he formed lasting friendships.

Duane was never one to shy away from a challenge, and his resourcefulness made him the go-to person for fixing or building just about anything. Whether it was roofing his own house, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, or constructing decks, gardens, and sheds, he poured his time and energy into projects for both family and friends. His skills extended beyond carpentry-Duane was an early adopter of computers and was always eager to help others troubleshoot and solve technical issues. His ability to repair, create, and innovate was a true reflection of his hardworking and generous spirit.

Duane loved being a father to his only child, Lisa, but his greatest joy came from being "Pawpaw." He was an active and devoted grandparent, always present in the lives of his beloved grandchildren, Shelby and Clark, and many of their friends. Whether shuttling them to practices, games, and camps or simply spending quality time together, he cherished every moment. Duane took pride in teaching them the value of hard work and the importance of saving money, passing down lessons that would serve them for a lifetime. His love, guidance, and unwavering support made him the world's greatest Pawpaw.

Duane and Nancy loved traveling, exploring the world with family and friends. His final international trip was to Ireland in 2019, and he cherished regular family vacations to their favorite beach, Hilton Head Island.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Larry Clark.

Duane is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Nancy Horner Clark; his daughter, Lisa (Roger) Shacklett; and his cherished grandchildren, Shelby (Grayson) Adkins and Clark (Taylor) Shacklett. He was also a proud great-grandfather to Adalyn, Ellie, and Graham Adkins, as well as Thomas Shacklett. Duane is also survived by his two sisters, Peggy Burrow and Barbara (Freddie) Capps, both of Cornersville, TN, his brother, Thomas (Linda) Clark of Tullahoma, TN and a slew of beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Woodbine Hickory Chapel Funeral Home, 5852 Nolensville Rd, Nashville, TN, 37211 on Thursday, March 20 beginning at 12:00pm with a Celebration of Life at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Beechwood Cemetery in Cornersville, TN at 4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to AGAPE, www.agapenashville.org, or Antioch Church of Christ.