Harry Clark

Harry Harveson Clark, 95, of Beaumont, Texas, died Thursday, September 13, 2018, at his home after a brief illness. He was born on July 18, 1923, in Orange, Texas, the late Harry Cole Clark and Bessie Denough Clark. Harry was a United States Army veteran having served in both World War I and World War II. After his military service he returned to Orange and began working at Sabine Supply. He later worked as an operator at Olin Chemical and retired from Velsicol/Sandoz/BASF in the same capacity.

Harry was well known throughout the Southeast Texas area as an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and was seldom not seen in the woods, marshes, and waterways surrounding the Beaumont area. He spent years hunting and fishing the Dam-B and Sam Rayburn areas of the Piney Woods. Harry was best known to sportsmen like himself as the “man” flying past them in “Spark Plug”, his famous homemade boat that graced the waterways around Beaumont. As an ex-boat race driver, Harry only knew one speed…wide open!!! He was also known as the man who walked on water because of the “marsh shoes” he invented to navigate the marshes when he duck/goose hunted. When Harry could no longer drive, he was excited to have Spark Plug, his marsh shoes and hundreds of fishing lures, poles, etc. placed on permanent display at the new Hamburger Depot, FM 255, in Brookeland, Texas, near Twin Dikes Marina.

His granddaughter and great-grandchildren were the love of his heart. His daughter and son-in-law were his number one fans. Even though Harry had countless friends over his 95 years, he called Lindy “Blue” Menefee, Ray Lyons, and Robert LaFleur his closest. Countless others the family heard about from fishing and hunting stories were simply known from “me and that ol’ boy tore ‘em up today”.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Dean Halbert and the SETMA family that took care of him for years and the doctors and staff of Hospice Plus who guided him through his final journey. We would especially like to extend our love and appreciation to Mr. Clark’s neighbor, Marion Moore. Marion took care of him 24 hours a day making sure he was comfortable, well fed, and well kept. She spent countless hours listening to his stories and most importantly making him laugh and laughing with him.

Per Mr. Clark, in lieu of flowers, he asks that any donations be made to Ms. Marion Moore, 113 Orgain, Beaumont, Texas 77707, to help support her after all the care and compassion she has shown him over the years.

Survivors include his daughter, Pam Dunivant and her husband, David, of Beaumont; granddaughter, Caris Vernon and her husband, Richard; and two great-grandchildren, Paisley and Pierce Vernon, all of Pearland.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances Tatum; brother, William James Clark; sister, Marguerite Ruth Davis; and sister, Helen Marie.

A gathering of Mr. Clarks’ family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.