John Clark, who graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1952, passed away on January 29, 2023. Plano's John Clark Stadium is named after him. I used to run into John, from time to time, in Jacksonville when he was visiting his mother, before she passed away.
John Elbert Clark was born to John William and Lila (Chitwood) Clark on January 10,1934 in Jacksonville, TX and passed away on January 29, 2023, in Tyler.
Upon graduation from Jacksonville High School, John attended Lon Morris Junior College where he played basketball, receiving undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Baylor University. His coaching career took him to Amarillo, Weatherford, Jacksonville, and Plano. John treasured relationships with coaches, players, community members and dear friends through the years. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Plano and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
As a father, John was a very patient disciplinarian with a gentle and firm hand. His relationship with Jesus was reflected at home in loving ways. In latter years, he delighted in the joys of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will cherish memories of driving the tractor, picking up pecans from his pecan trees, sharing a Coke, telling stories of growing up, and reaping the benefits of his custom-building projects. And yes, he watched many games whether soccer, basketball, or football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sue Holloway Clark; Gordon and Mable Tilley, an aunt and uncle who raised him; and his twin brother, Frank Clark.
Left to cherish John’s memory are his brothers Harry Tilley and wife Norma, and Frank Tilley and wife Connie Beck; daughters Janet Marek and husband John of Tyler, and Susan Clark of Mesquite. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Matthew Clark Marek and wife Katie, Mandi Adams and husband Travis, and Rachel Zieman and husband Ben; six great grandchildren plus another on the way: Addison, Barrett, John, Westley, Lula, and Chloe.
The family extends special gratitude to the staff at Meadowlake Senior Living in Tyler and to Darlene Staley and her staff for their loving care of “Coach”.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Texas (FCA) in Plano.
www.autryfuneralhome.com
Inducted in 1993 into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame
Clark was the architect of a football dynasty in Plano, winning two state championships in a 10-year coaching run, then presiding over a Wildcat program that won three more crowns during his 17 years as athletic director. The Jacksonville, Texas native posted a 107-17 mark and his teams were district champs nine times in 10 years from 1966-75. The Baylor graduate won his first title in 1967 when the Wildcats mauled San Antonio Randolph, 27-8, in the 2A final at Baylor Stadium in Waco, and his second in 1971, a 21-20 thriller over Gregory-Portland in the 3A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Austin. A year after Clark retired from coaching, Plano ISD opened 14,224-seat John Clark Field and the Wildcats marked the occasion by rolling to the Class 4A state championship in 1977. They tacked on two 5A titles, in 1986-87. during Clark's tenure as AD. Clark, who had stints at Weatherford, Amarillo and Jacksonville before arriving in Plano, is also a member of the THSCA Hall of Honor.Obituary
A funeral service for legendary football coach, John Clark, 89, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Plano, TX. Coach Clark will be laid to rest at a graveside service at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Jacksonville City Cemetery. Graveside services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.John Elbert Clark was born to John William and Lila (Chitwood) Clark on January 10,1934 in Jacksonville, TX and passed away on January 29, 2023, in Tyler.
Upon graduation from Jacksonville High School, John attended Lon Morris Junior College where he played basketball, receiving undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Baylor University. His coaching career took him to Amarillo, Weatherford, Jacksonville, and Plano. John treasured relationships with coaches, players, community members and dear friends through the years. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Plano and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
As a father, John was a very patient disciplinarian with a gentle and firm hand. His relationship with Jesus was reflected at home in loving ways. In latter years, he delighted in the joys of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will cherish memories of driving the tractor, picking up pecans from his pecan trees, sharing a Coke, telling stories of growing up, and reaping the benefits of his custom-building projects. And yes, he watched many games whether soccer, basketball, or football.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sue Holloway Clark; Gordon and Mable Tilley, an aunt and uncle who raised him; and his twin brother, Frank Clark.
Left to cherish John’s memory are his brothers Harry Tilley and wife Norma, and Frank Tilley and wife Connie Beck; daughters Janet Marek and husband John of Tyler, and Susan Clark of Mesquite. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Matthew Clark Marek and wife Katie, Mandi Adams and husband Travis, and Rachel Zieman and husband Ben; six great grandchildren plus another on the way: Addison, Barrett, John, Westley, Lula, and Chloe.
The family extends special gratitude to the staff at Meadowlake Senior Living in Tyler and to Darlene Staley and her staff for their loving care of “Coach”.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Texas (FCA) in Plano.
Obituary information for John Elbert Clark
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www.autryfuneralhome.com
