Spurgeon William Clark Jr.

CLARK Spurgeon William Clark, Jr., M.D. died Wednesday after an extended illness. He practiced ophthalmology in Waycross since 1956. He was married to the former Miss Susan Lott of Waycross for fifty-four years. Born Greensboro, Florida, in 1923 he attended local schools and the University of Florida before World War II. During the war he became a First Lieutenant and B-17 navigator, Eighth Air Force, in England and was a prisoner-of-war in Germany for five months. Afterwards he earned the B.S. and M.D. degrees from Emory University where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha honorary societies. He was certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Clark did his residency training in ophthalmology at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and served as chief of staff of Memorial Hospital and president of the Ware County and Eighth District Medical Societies, the Medical Association of Georgia, and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology. He was a longstanding representative from Georgia to the American Medical Association and the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the summer of 1973 he worked in an Eye Mission Clinic in East Africa. In 1991 he was honored in having The S. William Clark, Jr., M.D. Outpatient Surgery Center of Emory University Hospital named for him. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology; and the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Emory University Eye Alumni Association. In 1992, he was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, serving seven and a half years, and was chairman in 1997-98. He was an instrumental advocate of small colleges in Georgia and helped place Waycross College on a priority list for a Student Service Center and the Physical Education Building. In 1998, he was honored by the City of Waycross and by Ware County with the designation of “ Dr. Bill Clark Day.” Governor Zell Miller and University Chancellor Steven Portch were in attendance and extolled his outstanding service to the state educational system. Waycross College announced the establishment of the S. William Clark, Jr., M.D. Perpetual Scholarship in his honor. Dr. Clark was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America, including scoutmaster, council and state president, regional vice-president, fund raiser, and Philmont Expedition leader. He received the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards. The Okefenokee Area Scout Service Center was name for him. He has been in various leadership positions with the First United Methodist Church, including chairman of the Administrative Board and trustee for Magnolia Mano Nursing Homes. Community service has included being president a member, and a fund raiser for several local groups. He was an organizing founder and director of the First Georgia Savings Bank and the Waycross Bank and Trust, continuing as a director of the latter. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum in Savannah. The Waycross Rotary Club gave him their first “ Service Above Self Award” He received the Jeofry J. Jones Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Community Service; and was named “ Outstanding Jaycee of the Year.” In addition to his wife, Dr. Clark is survived by two sons and six grandchildren: Dr. and Mrs. Spurgeon William Clark, III and Victoria, Evelyn, and Alora; and Dr. and Mrs. James Daniel Clark and Daniel, Susannah and James. He is also survived by a sister, Ms. Jimmy Harrell of Temple Terrace, FL., brother-in-law, Dr. T. Bert Fletcher, Tallahassee sisters-in-law, Ms. Dot Clark, Tallahassee, Mrs. Mavis Clark, Greensboro, FL; sisters-in-law, Ms. Katherine Lott Marbut, Sands Point, Long Island; Ms. Melba Mayo and Mrs. Cile Rentz Lott, Waycross; a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Lee, Asheville, NC and several nieces and nephews including, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Clark; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Clark; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rowan; Mrs. Freddie Clark and Mrs. Nelson Clark, all of Greensboro, FL; and Ms. Rena Clark, Clermont, FL; Mr & Mrs. George Barrow, Fort Walton Beach, FL; Mr. & Mrs. Max Harrell, San Francisco, CA; Mr. Dennis Novak, Temple Terrace, FL and Spurgeon Harrell of Jacksonville. A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 8, at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church 410 Williams St. with burial at Lott Cemetery immediately afterwards. Friends may call at the residence at 1409 Satilla Blvd. after 3:00 pm on Thursday and Friday. Arrangements are with Miles- Odum Funeral Home The family requests contributions to be directed to the First United Methodist Church, the Okefenokee Heritage Center, or the Boy Scouts of America. Please sign the Guestbook at Jacksonville.com