Rickey Darnell Clark

 

Rickey (Rick) Clark was born in Memphis, TN on October 19th, 1958, to Johnnie and Willie Mae Clark. To this union, four sons were born. He departed this life on December 31st, 2023. His parents and stepmother, Laura Clark, all preceded him in death. He is also proceeded in death by his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Willie Jenkins and Ms. Rachel Shepherd, and his father-in-law, John M. Nichols Sr. .

Growing up in Memphis with his 3 brothers, they attended a local church, where they often sung as a quartet. Rickey attended Memphis State, where he studied Business and Marketing, sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. While attending Memphis State, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, through the Kappa Eta chapter crossing in the Spring of 1977. While there, he also got his start in sales by working at the popular men’s store,  Bert’s, often alongside his younger brother Steve.  Another meaningful experience while at Memphis State was meeting the love of his life, Jacquelyn Ann Nichols.

Rickey and Jackie were wed May 29th, 1982. Some of their proudest moments were becoming parents to Nicholas Darnell and William Anthony Clark.

It was a managerial opportunity at Bert’s that brought Rickey and Jackie to the city of Nashville, where he had the opportunity to open and manage his own store. After a successful stint at Bert’s, Rickey elected to further pursue his entrepreneurial endeavors; he and his wife Jackie opened Starpoint Video and Albums, as well as The Yellow Submarine Sandwich Shop. Following his business and marketing instincts, Rickey pursued a career in the Automotive Business, by accepting a sales position at the prominent Jim Reed Chevrolet. While working in sales, he successfully completed the Pat Ryan & Associates “Automotive Finance and Insurance Management” school in 1990. His illustrious career at Jim Reed included being recognized and qualified as a Certified F & I Professional. For over 30 years, Rickey remained in the business where he was a staple in the Middle TN automotive industry lending his passion, expertise, and mentorship to the industry.

Rickey never let his busy work schedule get in the way of establishing meaningful relationships and forming a sense of community that extended to friends, family, coaches, and customers. To know Rickey personally, was to know his love for his family and sports this culminated in always taking the time out to watch his sons play various sports from elementary school to college. Often becoming a mentor and unofficial father figure to many of their sons’ teammates. As evident to the crowd in attendance today Rickey developed a strong sense of community in all aspects of his life. As a long-standing member of Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Rickey enjoyed singing with the Male Chorus, serving as a Deacon , being involved with the Greeter’s ministry and his Sunday School class. Rickey also continued to be involved with his fraternity, as a member of the Tau Lambda graduate chapter in Nashville, TN.

Rickey is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Jacquelyn N. Clark and sons Nicholas and Anthony (Jenee) Clark. He will be forever remembered by his brothers, Donald Clark, Johnnie (Marianne) Clark, Steve Clark, and his stepsister, Annie Rayner. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Iola Nichols, brother-in-law, John M. Nichols Jr., and sister-in-law, Sandra L. Nichols. He will be missed by his aunt, Jewel Shepherd, his nieces, his nephews, and his cousins. Additionally, he will be missed by his loyal friends, The Reaves, The Goodes, The Westbrooks, The Douglass, and The Saddlers. Rickey touched the lives of many people and will truly be missed, but the memories he provided, will live on.