George Edward Clark

After living a very colorful life, George Edward Clark passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1, 2023.  George was born in Paris, France in 1939 as the son of Edouard and Ariane Chevrier.  To escape the war in France, George and his mother boarded a naval vessel (and slow boat) to China where they met up with Edouard.  Soon after, they visited Ariane’s mother Maria Dovnarowicz of Vladivostok, Russia, and stepfather Alfred Mildner of Alsace-Lorraine, in Japan but became separated when WWII began.  George lived with his grandparents in Kobe, Japan until the age of eleven when he was able to be reunited with his mother who married his now stepfather John G. Clark, Jr. of Greenville, NC, in Shanghai, China where they both met and resided after the war until moving permanently to Greenville, NC.

George was the oldest of three children and is survived by his half-brother, Graham Clark and wife Vicki, his half-sister Michele Gronek and husband Lonnie, with nephews Clark and Pearce Gronek, two children from his first wife Vivian (Rice) Clark (deceased), Clifton Clark (married to Martha) and Tracie Creta (married to Robert) and three grandchildren, Maggie, Elizabeth, and Dustin Clark.  Additional family includes George’s beloved ex-wife Sue Compton Clark of Waco, Texas, and five stepchildren, Kelly, Kathy, Clay, Christy, and Carter, Jr., along with eleven grandchildren.

George arrived in the United States in 1950 at age 11 to join his mother and stepfather in Greenville, NC where he attended school until joining the United States Navy.  He proudly served three years on the U.S.S. Saratoga as a radar and electronic warfare specialist.  Upon his return, he attended East Carolina University where he met his first wife Vivian.  He spent his entire working career as a businessman beginning with consumer finance, then banking and later as an automotive consultant.  His love of cars provided him the opportunity to be General Manager of a Lincoln Mercury Dealership.  After moving to Waco to be with his wife Sue, he pursued a career in insurance until his retirement.

George loved God and the United States and was a devoted Christian and patriot.  In his own words, “He lived a full and challenging life, overcoming setbacks and disappointments through the years, but always kept his faith which helped him overcome adversities.  He was sometimes called ‘Curious George’ by an old friend because he was indeed curious about everything and was extremely well-informed about the world he lived in.”  George never lost that mindset and loved engaging in conversation about world matters until the end of his time here.

He is also the author of a published book titled Automobile Leasing Secrets of the 21st Century and wrote a 65,000-word narrative titled Before it’s Too Late describing his wartime experiences while in Japan during the Second World War.

George was a charmer – anyone would tell you that.  He kept that going right up till the end with friends at his independent living home as well as nurses at his last residence.  That wit, charm and handsome face will be missed by many.  Rest in Peace, dear George – your entire family loves you.

George’s life will be celebrated at a small private event with his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515 or online at www.macular.org.

George was blessed to have daily care from Linda Holloman and Lola Cheek. The family expresses their sincere appreciation for the kindness and care at Parkwood Place Independent Living, Chatham Rehabilitation and Nursing and Mountain Valley.