Pastor Charles Arnold Clark
PASTOR CHARLES A. CLARK, 80, of Bland, VA, finished his lifelong work for the Lord on Friday, August 26, 2022 in the mountains of the home he loved so well. He was born May 27, 1942 in Bland, VA, the son of the late Pastor Bernard Meek Clark and Beatrice Pauline Sarver.
He was an esteemed member of the coal industry for 43 years where he was well respected, always known for having a smile, kind words, and making a friend of everyone he came in contact with. He began working with the Owens Group of Bristol, later Dowty-Owens group based out of the UK, and finished as the Sales Manager for W & B Fabricators of Rocky Gap, VA. His expertise was well-known and widely recognized. Having him being sought after in consultative roles by national and international entities in the coal industry that took him through out the US, Canada, and in the latter years of his career to Brazil. He enjoyed working with, showing, and trophying with his prized Racking horses. His greatest love though was for the church family he pastored for 45 years. He fully embraced that the measure of a life is not recognized in the duration but in the donation, it makes to the lives of others. Pastor Clark excelled in donating in every aspect with his guidance, compassion, and friendship. He loved and gave selflessly inspiring others to do so as well with his faith and hope in God. With his church he started scholarships for all the graduating seniors of the church, backpacks and supplies for all the school children, and paid countless electric and hospital bills for members and non-members of the church alike. They provided food, clothing, and for the needs of countless children because that was a call close to the pastor's heart. Having grown up less fortunate he sought to make sure that these children had the help they needed. The church's generosity also spilled over to help support many new churches and missionary works throughout the world. In the early years of his ministry, the Pastor made a promise to the Lord he would never take any money from the church for his own personal gain believing that if God was the master plan maker, He would provide for all the needs of the church and himself. To his last breath, he kept his end and so did the Lord.
As a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle he will be greatly missed by those left behind to cherish his memory and the endless love and support he gave. He will forever be loved and held dear by his wife of 60 years, Judith DeHart Clark, his daughter & son-in-law, Kim and Lee Hagan; sons and daughters-in-law, Anthony & Staci Clark and Damon & Tina Clark; daughter-in-law, Trish Clark; grandson & grand-daughter-in-law, Jared and Anna Frechette-Hagan; grandsons, Johnathan Hagan, Nathan Clark, Ethan Clark, Trey Lee & Brandon Sluss; granddaughter, Lyndsay Clark; and great-grandson Miles Henry Frechette-Hagan; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray & Barbara Clark, Jackie Clark, Yancy Clark, Katherine Lane; his sisters and brothers-in law, Peggy & Jimmy Dehart, Shelia Clark, Charlene Clark Reed, Barry Puryear, Timothy Bailey, Orville DeHart, Dwight DeHart; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Linda & Larry Lunsford, Steve & Debbie Dehart, and Glen & Shelia DeHart; a multitude of nieces, nephews, church family, special friends, and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Meek & Beatrice Pauline Sarver Clark, his brothers & sisters-in law, Ralph & Anna Clark, Larry & Frances Clark; his sisters, Linda Clark Bailey & Patsy Clark Puryear; and brothers, Steve Clark & Wayne Clark.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Wilderness Lighthouse Church of the Lord Jesus Christ with Pastor Duane Bailey, Johnathan Hagan, Thomas Johnson and Anthony Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the Clark Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.
This service will be live streamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/c/WildernessLighthouseCLJC, for those unable to attend.
The Clark family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.
