Byrl Lester Clark

Published 3:36 pm Friday, January 27, 2023

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Byrl Lester Clark, 96, fought the good fight of faith and left his Earthly home and moved his forwarding address to Heaven on January 26, 2023. He was born on June 29, 1926, to the late Arthur and Nola Clark in Hampton, Tenn.
Byrl was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran during World War II. In 1944, he left high school at the age of 17 and voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served as a Seaman on the USS Atlanta, which was the first American ship to bomb Japanese Homelands during WW2. Byrl was retired from North American Rayon (33 years) and East Tennessee State University (10 years). He and Kansas enjoyed many years of retirement traveling with family and friends. Also, he enjoyed tending to his cattle, gardens and his Clark Family Farm, while enjoying his many beloved dogs.
He is survived by his loving wife of six years, Carolyn; his daughter, Linda Abel (Larry Sr., his loving son-in-law); his son, Byrl Clark Jr. and his son, Jeff Clark; his grandchildren, Larry Abel Jr. (Kim), Deanna Abel Johnson, Chris Clark, Joy Abel, Kelsey Johnson, Amanda Clark, Keaton Johnson, Jessica Clark Madden, Beckett Clark, Gabriella Clark and Baylen Clark; his step-children, Angel Wilson (Adam), BJ Payne and Michael Payne (April); step-grandchildren, Maura Trice (Tim), Eddie Trice, Gabby Trice, Raymond Wilson, Makayla Payne, Madison Payne, Alyssa Payne, Lee Payne and Taylor Smith; several special nephews, nieces and cousins; and two very special friends who were like daughters, Judy Broyles and Judy Herrell Stocton.
Byrl was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Kansas Garland Clark; his brother, Robert Clark; daughter-in-law, Linda Clark; sister-in-law, Ida Lee Kelly (Chuck); brother-in-law, Bobby Garland (Tommie Sue); a baby brother, Arvel Clark; and a baby sister, Mildred Clark.
Byrl was a proud member of Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tenn. He was honored and proud to be a member of his church. One of the many highlights of his year was the honor to carry the American flag during the Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day services at his church, where he will carry one last time during his Celebration of Life Service at Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Church. Receiving of family and friends will be Sunday, January 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. with the service following at 7 p.m. The graveside services will take place at Berry Cemetery in Simerly Creek on Monday, January 30, at 11 a.m. The services will be officiated by Pastor Randy Johnson and Pastor Mark Potter. Music will be provided by Joy Abel, Rob Montgomery, Teresa McKinney, Jim Matheson, Jeff Snyder and church musicians. Pallbearers will be Larry Abel Jr., Chris Clark, BJ Payne, Adam Wilson, Michael Payne, Joel Street, Zeke Tolley Jr., Kevin Kelly and Joseph Smithdeal. Honorary pallbearers include Bruce Clark, Bradley Clark, Bryan Clark, Richard Kelly, Tim Kelly, Glen Gouge, Gary Gouge, Leslie McKinney, Jim Matheson, Carl Roberson, Sam Harrison, Tony Jones, Pastor Kenneth Grindstaff, Bill Henard, Myron Hyder, Stephen Harsh, Robert Ray Sr., Valley Forge Men’s Bible Class, Valley Forge Senior’s Ministry Group and the Cattlemen’s Association. The family would like to express special thanks to those who provided special care for the last three weeks of Byrl’s life which includes the Veteran’s Administration, the loving staff and administration at Ivy Hall Nursing Hall, Judy Jones McAmis and Troy Wagner. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Berry Cemetery Maintenance Fund (Byrl Clark Jr., 1238 Simerly Creek Road, Hampton, TN 37658). Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Monday. Military Honors will be provided by the Veterans Honor Guard DAV 30, Bluff City. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Clark family.