Louis Stephen Clark
Louis Stephen Klarik Clark, 70, of Masontown, Pa., and Punta Gorda, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, Pa.
He was born Oct. 8, 1932, in Booth, W.Va., a son of the late Louis and Margaret Soltesz Klarik Clark.
Louis is survived by his wife of 38 years, Velma M. Wilson Clark; a daughter, Natasha Lynn Berry and son-in-law, Jesse Berry of Lorton, Va.; two sisters, Margaret Burchianti of Masontown, Pa., and Anna Frances (Whitney) Reed of Bowie, Md.; two brothers, Bela Klarik (Lynn Stanleigh) of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Joseph (Helen) Clark of Grant Town, W.Va.; and many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
Louis grew up in Grant Town, W.Va., and graduated from Fairview High School in Fairview, W.Va., where he was president of the student government, valedictorian of his class, and an outstanding baseball, football and basketball player. After high school, Lou went on to play professional baseball as a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. While serving from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean War, with the U.S. Army in Germany, Lou starred as a baseball, football and basketball player with his unit in Augsburg. Louis graduated in 1960, with a BS in mathematics from Fairmont State College, Fairmont, W.Va.
Louis also resided for more than 30 years in Fairfax County, Va. (Falls Church, Fairfax, Clifton), where he operated his own drapery business. His clients included the White House, government agencies, members of Congress, and prominent citizens of the Washington, D.C., area.
In addition to being an avid sports fan, Lou loved to fish and hunt. He traveled extensively with his family throughout Europe, including several trips to visit his many relatives in Eastern Slovakia. Louis was also a member of the American Legion.
Friends will be received in the JOHN S. MAYKUTH JR. FUNERAL HOME, corner of Church and River Aves., Masontown, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, when funeral services will be held, in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. R. Scott Teets officiating. Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa. Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by the Masontown VFW and American Legion.