Fred Clark

Fred Clark, Sr. passed away on April 2, 2008. He was born November 7, 1923 to Mamie Lee and Joe Lewis Clark in Chattanooga, TN. Soon after Fred’s birth, his family moved to Birmingham, AL, where he was raised. He loved the Lord and gave his life to Christ at an early age. He joined the US Army in 1943 and drove supply trucks during WWII. When he returned to the states, he drove ambulances for Madigan Army Hospital. Fred married Johnnie Norrington in Birmingham, AL in 1946. To this union 4 children were born. Fred played on the McChord Field Basketball team and was voted MVP. He also was a pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barrons until the American Baseball League took over. Fred loved sports and played as long as he could. In March of 1947, he was honorably discharged from his Army post at Fort Lewis and worked for the Amtrak Railroad Company until he retired in 1987. In 2003, Fred moved back to Tacoma to live with his daughter. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters. He leaves to cherish his memories his ex-wife Johnnie Clark; children Fannetta Johnson (Gleason), Oudia Clark, Fred Clark, Jr. and Sylvia Donovan (Gregory); nine grandchildren Johnnetta Cranshaw (Prentiss), Shawn Johnson (Kelly), Verdell Middleton, Adrienne Paige (Samuel), Cedric Clark (Kimberly), Deidre Clark, Zarihna Clark, Christopher Clark, and Gregory Donovan, Jr.; seven great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing on April 8, 2008 from 5-8 pm at Edwards Memorial Center, 3005 Bridegeport Way W, University Place. Services will be held Wednesday, April 9, at 10 am Bethlehem Baptist Church 4818 Portland Ave, Tacoma with interment at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008.