John N. Clark

John Newell Clark, of Greer, SC, went to his longed-for heavenly home and to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 9, 2022. Born March 9, 1946, in Pendleton, SC, John was the second of four sons born to Hugh and Christine Clark. John is survived by his wife, Sylvia Clark, of ten years; a daughter; a son; five grandchildren; a brother, Jimmie Michael Clark; a stepdaughter, Gayla Young (David); three step-grandchildren; nieces, Christy Clark, Allyson Clark, and Kerry Mills; nephews, David Clark, Todd Clark, Troy Clark, and Del Clark; as well as a host of great-nieces and great-nephews. John was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Clark, and Lamar Clark. Upon graduation from high school, John was recruited to play basketball for Florida State. Beginning at Florida State Junior College, John wanted to study at the Florida State Forestry School there. A re-injury of a prior high school football knee blowout sidelined John’s basketball playing days in year one. Nevertheless, John earned his Florida State Forestry School diploma. Anytime you would walk into the woods with John, he could tell you what you are looking at by naming most all the trees, mosses, plants, bushes, flowers, and wildlife. John married and fathered two children, became a farmer, hardware store operator, and skilled home improvement craftsman, a trade he learned from his then mother-in-law’s brother, Dermot Davis. Throughout his entire life, John shared with others his mastery of small or large build projects including decks, porches, barns, cabinets, etc., with precision of the highest quality. “Uncle Johnny” was the best family-gathering host, providing a lifetime of happy memories for his nieces and nephews who enjoyed dove and rabbit hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and playing on the many acres of his sprawling country farm. While life circumstances took John on a difficult detour for nine years, into the bitter tundra of West Virginia, he employed with Asplundh Tree Service. As it typically takes ten to fifteen years to reach a General Foreman leadership position, it took John only three years, the quickest in the history of the company. Steve Asplundh, owner, came from his New York office to personally ask John to replace a retiring General Foreman. At the passing of his spouse at the time, John longed to return to his roots, circling back to Pendleton, SC, in early 1995. In answer to years of prayers and the loving witness of his preacher-brother Jimmie, John’s “second birth” occurred in Aunt Pearl’s house with Joe and Jimmie by John’s side, as he knelt to pray; weeping his way to God’s salvation on June 14, 1995. From then on, the focal point of John’s life was Jesus Christ. A marked change occurred in John thereafter, for the next twenty-seven years of perfect sobriety. An avid Bible reader, humble prayer warrior, church goer, supporter of his brother Jimmie’s evangelistic ministry, these became his personal enjoyments the remaining twenty-seven years of his life. Many times, John prayed with nephews and nieces in ongoing support and could be counted on as an encourager to any family member going through a tough time. John also sang faithfully in the church choir and enjoyed letting out a hearty: “Amen” during the preaching of his favorite Pastor Tim’s Sunday sermons. On a lighter note, let us not forget, John also remained a religiously loyal Clemson fan throughout his life, rarely missing a televised Clemson football game. Additionally, John enjoyed watching “My Three Sons” actor, Fred MacMurray, star in western cowboy movies. Shertech Nuclear Pharmacy owner, Richard Sheriff, employed John as a delivery driver of nuclear medicine to hospitals, medical centers, and pharmacies in 2003. John began each day at 2:00 a.m., and worked until 2:00 p.m., for a decade, until he retired. After a couple years of being an entry level driver, John worked his way up to oversee an entire fleet of Shertech delivery drivers across the Carolinas. John retired at the age of 67 in 2014, having organized a systematic delivery schedule for Shertech drivers, and invented out of scraps, a pulley system to load/unload heavy containers onto Shertech delivery trucks. Without any doubt, the angel in John’s home was his wife and caretaker, Sylvia. They enjoyed almost 11 years of marital harmony together. Caring for one another, as well as pet chickens and cats, John and Sylvia exemplified a Christ-honoring, simple, loving home to those who personally knew and admired their sweet relationship. John is sorely missed by his surviving brother, Jimmie, as they would talk almost daily via iPhones, and yes, once Facetimed. John’s spirit was buoyed, during his final two months of rapid health decline, by Jimmie’s constant love and daily encouragements speaking peace via iPhone to John during his final days and hours. Rest assured, John is now reunited with his brothers, Joe and Lamar, in that “land that is fairer than day” as the evening chimes of life called John into the purpling dawn of eternity. The legacy of John Newell Clark leaves an indelible testimony of what a permanent and positive difference Christ Jesus can make by coming to the end of oneself, agreeing to the terms of God’s salvation plan, receiving divine forgiveness and redemption, then a new desire to finish life’s race on solid footing with one’s Maker. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31; “The memory of the just is blessed.” Proverbs 10:7. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2022, at Burnsview Baptist Church, Greer, South Carolina, conducted by Rev. Tim Huckaby and Rev. Jimmie Clark. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

John N. Clark

March 9, 1946 - November 9, 2022