Francis O Clark

Francis Orr Clark, 89, beloved husband of late Gloria Marguerite Clark, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 17, 2016. “Frank” was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Frank and Ula Clark.

After high school at Pingry in Hillside NJ, where he was valedictorian his Junior and Senior years, he attended Yale University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He entered the U.S. Army at the end of World War II, and then earned his Master’s degree at Wayne State University in Detroit. He started work for the city of Detroit in 1950 where he lived and started his family and where all of his children were born. He was Head Urban Planner for the City of Detroit until 1968.  He then accepted a position at the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C and retired from the FHA in 2007 at the age of 80.

Frank was an accomplished pianist and clarinetist, and was passionate about the opera and classical music. He spent many years raising his seven children in West Laurel, Maryland and took a very active role caring for his grandchildren. On retirement, he was the principal caregiver of Gloria during her final stages of Alzheimer’s. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and bridge.

Frank is survived by his children Debbie McGee (Atlanta GA), Doug (Atlanta GA), Pam Taylor (Germantown MD), Jeff (Brentwood MD), Chris (Laurel MD), Jeannine Hazen (Dallas TX), Elaine Moore (Laurel MD); brother Don Clark (Seaford, DE); grandchildren Rebecca, Carissa, Michael, Erin, Logan, Kristen, Oliver, Julia, and Sara; and great grandson Jack.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 2 PM at Donaldson Funeral Home, PA. 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20707.

Memorial donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Chapter, Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.