Gary Franklin Clark

   Gary Franklin Clark, 77, of Waverly, a longtime Portsmouth resident, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at his home. He was born in Portsmouth on January 27, 1945, to the late Arthur Franklin and Charlotte Eileen Yuenger Clark.

      Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pamela Williams Clark, whom he married August 20, 1965, in Winston-Salem, NC; his son Jeffery Franklin (Stacie) Clark of Ankeny, IA; his daughter Angela Clark (Brad) Striegel of Eldridge, IA; four grandchildren, Thomas Clark, Alex Clark, Luke Striegel and Jack Striegel; sister Vicki Lynn Clark of Dayton; brother-in-law Karl Martin (Shirley) Williams of Dayton; nephew Scott Martin Williams of Belmont, CA; niece Krista Williams (Brett) Bolanger of Tipp City; and many other beloved family and friends.

   A product of the Portsmouth City Schools, Gary was a graduate of PHS, Class of 1963 and proud to be a Mighty Trojan on the school football team. He received his degree in Business Administration from Franklin University, Class of 1972.

      During his time living in Columbus, Gary worked as a USDA Laboratory Animal Inspector, an OSU Gnotobiotic Technician, and as an administrator at The OSU Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department.  After the move back to Portsmouth, his entrepreneurial spirit shined brightly, first as owner/manager of Williams Stamp Works and then as owner/ “Boss Man” of Hurt Candy & Tobacco Company until his retirement.

  Throughout his life, Gary showed his dedication to church, civic and school affairs as a church deacon, chairman of the board and youth advisor at First Christian Church; served as PTO President and as a PHS Band Booster. He coached Little League Baseball and Softball, and was on the boards of Portsmouth City Schools, Boys Scouts and the American Red Cross; served his city as chairman of the Revolving Loan Committee, as a member of the City Zoning Board and City Charter Revision Committee; and was a member of Retail Merchants Association, Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Association of Tobacco & Candy Dealers. He was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Portsmouth prior to moving to Bristol Village.

      Gary enjoyed his solo trips to Las Vegas, traveling in the USA and was always ready for some quality time visiting his kids and grandkids. The boys loved to visit Portsmouth to explore Gramps’s warehouse, sampling candy and looking for ghosts.

      A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. Saturday, October 22 at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. Tom Charles officiating. Private interment will be in Old Wheelersburg Cemetery with Rev. Jane Johnson of First Presbyterian Church of Waverly offering committal rites.

   The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, October 22 from 10 to 11 A.M.

   Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 118 Graceland Blvd. Ste. 258, Columbus, OH 43214.

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