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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HAROLD LEE CLARK SR.
WHEREAS, Harold Lee Clark Sr., affectionately known to all as “Clark,” pioneering community leader, devoted patriarch to a talented, industrious and always deeply pious family passed away on Friday May 13, 2016. He has left behind a devoted family, countless friends and a community enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Clark was the first born son of Henry Lee Clark and Lucille Williams Clark in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was raised amongst a large extended family and was the doting older brother to his sister Alice Clark Curtis, Geraldine Clark Jackson, Louis Clark and Delores Clark Earl; and
WHEREAS, Clark was blessed with an analytical mind and a capacity for research and development methodology. He was educated at Xavier Preparatory School, Gilbert Academy and Xavier University; and
WHEREAS, Clark married Thyra Emily Francois Blouin on June 10, 1948 and the two were proud parents of five children; Karen, Harold Jr., Kevin Paul, Mark Anthony and David Clark.
WHEREAS, Clark and Thyra nourished their five children in a deep Catholic faith and commitment to living out the values they held so deeply. Those values were modeled at Saint Felicitas and Holy Cross in Chicago and Holy Ghost Catholic Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Catholic faith was not just an aspect of their lives, but played a role in nearly every part of their lives; and
WHEREAS, Clark proudly served his country as a Seaman with the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, after serving, Clark landed a career as a loss prevention specialist in the transportation industry, which led his family from New Orleans, Louisiana to St. Louis, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, later, Clark joined his Uncle Sidney Francois’ business, Francois Painting Company in Chicago, eventually expanding and rebranding the business as Clark Decorating; and
WHEREAS, Clark’s home was a refuge to many and no one was turned away, where meals were sacred events with conversations of politics, service and truth talking; and
WHEREAS, Clark was an organizer, working with his Holy Cross Pastor, Martin Farrell and his University of Chicago colleague - Saul Alinsky and Rev. Arthur Brazier on the South Campus Project. He was also intimately involved with the formation of the Woodlawn Organization, expansion of Boy and Girl Scout troops in all neighborhoods, the implementation of an Inaugural Year Social Center for Youth at Hales Franciscan High School and efforts to expand the Catholic Youth Organization Basketball program; and
WHEREAS, Harold Lee Clark Sr. is survived by his wife of over sixty-seven years, Thyra Emily Francois, his treasured daughter Karen Chavers, and two sons David Clark and Mark Anthony Clark, grandchildren David Jerome Clark, Kristina Nicole Clark, Ronald Jerome Coward, Angelo Darryl Chavers, Keisha, Anthony Jamison, Marcus Williams, Carl and Kevin Thunderbird, his Nieces Cheryl Moore, Darlene Fernandez, Celestine Hughes, Gwendoline Jackson, Jackee Charles, Carolyn Joseph, Kathleen Washington, Theresa Blouin, Toya Campbell, Myra Price, Brenda Blouin, Rea Foxx, Ivy Johnson, Jennifer Hill and Rosemary Hill, Nephews Ernest Jr. and Michael Blouin, Darryl, Stewart, Paul Blouin, Sidney Hill and Robert Francis, as well as his wide circle of Greats, Couzas, Dear Friends and Alley Krewe; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County that the Board on behalf of the nearly the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the life of Harold Lee Clark Sr., and herewith offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the coworkers, family, and many friends of Harold Lee Clark Sr. and joins them in sorrow at the loss of this remarkable and accomplished man; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy of same be tendered to the family of Harold Lee Clark Sr., that his memory may be so honored.end