Cecil and his wife Wayne Clark stand in front of Clark’s Grocery in Buda in 1954. Clark is the latest subject in the “Voices of Hays County History” series, produced by the Hays County Historical Commission. The oral history documentary will be screened July 30 at Buda Elementary. (Courtesy photo)
by SHELLY HENRY
Special to the Hays Free Press
After nearly a century living in the Buda area, Cecil Clark has more than a few memories to share in the latest “Voices of Hays County History,”a documentary produced by the Hays County Historical Commission (HCHC).
The public is invited to attend a screening of the documentary at 6:30 p.m. July 30 at the Buda Elementary Kunkel Room, located at 300 San Marcos Street.
Cecil Clark was born in 1912 in the community of Goforth, just east of Buda, to S.J. and Ida Clark. Along with his three brothers and three sisters, Cecil spent his early years helping his father on the family farm, where they raised cotton, cane and corn. His two younger sisters, Dorothy and Doris, now live in Austin.
In 1936, Cecil wed Wayne P. Foster, and the couple had been married 71 years when she died in 2007. Their two children, Cecil Allen and Bobbie Joan, reside in Buda.
In his oral history, Clark tells how he learned to plow with mules when he was very young. He also recalls working with the fire department during World War II at Camp Swift in Austin and talks about his many years as a store owner in Buda.
Clark has spent many years as a dedicated caretaker for both the Live Oak Cemetery, just across the county line in Manchaca, and the Martin Church Cemetery at the old Goforth community. His care and attention are greatly responsible for the beautifully-tended grounds visitors enjoy at both sites today.
For the oral history, Clark was interviewed by HCHC member Jim Cullen. The documentary was filmed by Richard Kidd of the HCHC, with sound recording by Bonnie Eissler.
The “Voices of Hays County History” documentaries are available for viewing on the HCHC website at www.hayshistoricalcommission.com.
