Thomas Clark Obituary

North Augusta, SC – Memorial Services for Mr. Thomas DeWitt Clark, Jr.,100, who entered into rest on February 6, 2026, will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Fairview Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dan Morris and Rev. Masaki Chiba officiating. Private interment will take place.

Tom was born December 31, 1925 in Columbia, SC to the late Thomas and Virginia Elizabeth (Bessie) Clark. He was an active member of Fairview Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years. Following his naval service during World War II, Tom attended and graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he met Carolyn Alcorn Clark, his wife of 72 years.

The couple were the undefeated winners of the anniversary dance at all of their grandchildren's weddings, and Tom always made Carolyn laugh-occasionally even scowl. His athleticism spanned decades, from his Gamecock baseball days to dashing through the stands to catch a rogue church league baseball. At age 70, he routinely zoomed past walkers 20 to 30 years his junior during his daily three-mile walks on the Greenway and joked that he was working on his six-pack (of cardiac stents). Tom and Carolyn frequently hosted their children and grandchildren for family dinners, where Tom grilled steaks and shrimp he had caught himself. At their annual Christmas tree–decorating gathering, Tom lifted a grandchild each year to place the star atop the tree and was always the last one, meticulously unwrapping gifts.

A creative and determined do-it-yourself problem solver, Tom once tied a rope around his home's chimney to clean the roof after one of his children (who shall remain unnamed) absconded with his ladder-because roof cleaning waits for no one. Whether gazing through his telescope or reading astronomy magazines, Tom was captivated by the moon, stars, and planets above. He has now rejoined his wife, his son, and-most importantly-his Heavenly Father. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Clark; his son, Jim Clark; son-in-law, Richard Edwards, Jr.

Survivors include his son, Gary Clark; daughter, Linda Edwards; six grandchildren, Jason Clark (Claire), Angela Drake (David), Richard Edwards III (Sophia), Kari Cummons (Matt), Anna Wiggins (Glenn), and Nathan Clark (Hannah); seven great-grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Leigh, Clark, Zayden, Evelyn, and Isaac; daughters-in-law, Phyllis Clark and Gaye Clark.

Pallbearers will be Jason Clark, David Drake, Richard Edwards III, Glenn Wiggins, Matt Cummons, and Nathan Clark.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Nuclear Care Partners and Cumberland Village for their compassionate support and care.

Memorials may be made to The Navigators Ministry, www.navigators.org.