By Moses Leos III
Having lived a life that spanned 103 years, Cecil M. Clark experienced events ranging from the Great Depression, to the moon landing and cell phone technology.
But for Clark’s son and daughter, Cecil A. Clark and Bobbie Clark Kasper, memories of their iconic father, who passed away Friday, extend to his always-friendly disposition.
“He never met a stranger,” Kasper said. “He could talk to anyone and he was friends with everyone. He never had a bad word to say.”
Clark, according to a 2012 All Around Hays article, grew up on a farm in Goforth and lived in Central Texas his whole life.
During the 1940s, Clark worked as a firefighter at Camp Swift in Bastrop. Following the end of World War II, Clark and his wife, Wayne, opened Clark’s Market and Grocery on Main Street and operated the business over the course of 23 years.
It was during that timeframe when Clark became one of the first members of the Buda Volunteer Fire Department.
Afterward, Clark worked at what was Buda Grocery for another 22 years.
Kasper, who recalled working at the Clark’s Market on a daily basis, said her father was one to help, even if some customers couldn’t pay their bills.
“If anyone needed any help with anything, he was ready to help them,” Kasper said.
But she also remembered her father’s ability to be a great communicator. She said he often talked with a group of men who conversed on the front porch of Clark’s grocery.
“He liked people and talking to them and being around them,” Kasper said.
In 1972, Clark entered a new venture when he became caretaker of the Live Oak Cemetery. He held the position of caretaker until 2015, and remained president of the cemetery association until his death.
According to family, Clark was asked to work there, and did so without hesitation.
“That was his nature,” Kasper said. “He loved to work.”
Deer hunting was one of Clark’s lifelong passions. His son, Cecil, said his father killed “two bucks nearly every year.” His first kill was made on the Fox Ranch in Johnson City many years ago, Cecil said. The trophy remains hung on the wall of Clark’s home.
“Most of the time he killed one on the first day,” he said.
Clark hunted at several locations during his life, with the latest being the McCoy Ranch in Kyle.
He also held a fondness of driving well into his later years, along with the domino game “42.” His enjoyment of Whataburger was also an important factor. Several of Clark’s birthday celebrations were held at the Buda location.
On Oct. 24, 2012, the Hays County Commissioners Court celebrated Clark’s 100th birthday by proclaiming “Cecil Clark Day.” He also gained recognition from the state of Texas and President Barack Obama.
His son Cecil said Clark was the “best man in town.”
“He loved people. He really did. And he helped a lot of people,” Cecil said.
Clark is survived by eight grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren.
