Alan Clark

LAKE WALES -- Mr. Alan Charles Clark, the former owner and operator of the Lake Wales Bike Shop, died of cancer Thursday (April 22, 2004) at Dove Health Care. He was 48. "When he first started out, this bicycle shop was right around the corner from the house, and this elderly man ran it. He was like in the fifth or sixth grade, and he would stop and talk to him. He asked if he would like to have a little job cleaning up around there. The gentleman got to teaching him how to change bicycle chains, tubes and all that. After he graduated from high school he bought the business," his mother, Grace Clark of Lake Wales, said. The lifelong resident was born in Lake Wales on July 21, 1955, and attended Polk Avenue Junior and High Schools. Mr. Clark owned and operated the bike shop for five years before selling the business in 1983. He later worked for Taylor Flooring Industries for several years. He enjoyed both freshwater and deep sea fishing when the opportunity arose. He was a member of First Baptist Church. In addition to his mother, Mr. Clark is survived by his daughters, Alexa Clark, Carrie Clark, both of South Carolina; sister, Beverly Clark Blair, South Carolina. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823.