Dr. Benjamin "Ed" Edward Clark

Benjamin Edward “Ed” Clark passed away on December 18, 2024, in Bolivar, MO. Ed was born in Forest, MS, to Martin Van Buren “Van” Clark, Sr. and Pearl Cordelia Caughman. He was the second of two sons and was raised in Gloster, MS and later in Monroe, LA. While in high school, Ed served as drum major of the marching band at Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe. Upon graduation in 1945, he attended Northeast Louisiana Junior College for two years, where he joined the ROTC. During this time, he also worked as an Office Boy at United Gas Corporation. Ed transferred to Louisiana State University to complete his degree in accounting in 1949. While completing his bachelor’s degree, he also served as second lieutenant of the ROTC Reserve. He received his MBA from LSU in 1950, meeting his wife Theodosia “Theo” Elizabeth Jones at First Baptist Church while living in Baton Rouge for his graduate education. Ed and Theo were married on March 24, 1951, and lived briefly in Houston, TX, where Ed worked as an auditor at CPA firm Arthur Anderson before he was called to active duty in the Army. Ed served in the Army’s Finance Corps, first in New York City for six weeks, where Theo joined him and then to Far East Command in Tokyo. In 1952, Theo joined him in Yokohama, Japan. During this time, Ed also served temporarily in Okinawa, Japan and Seoul, Korea. While in Japan, Ed and Theo also worked with missionaries to lead Bible studies for the community. In June of 1953, Ed was discharged as first lieutenant and he and Theo returned to the U.S. to live in Theo’s hometown of DeQuincy, LA, where their first son, Randall “Randy” Dale was born. Their second son, Brian Wayne “Wayne” was born three years later. While in DeQuincy, Ed joined the DeQuincy Insurance Agency at the request of his father-in-law, Hardy Jones. Upon Mr. Jones’ retirement, Ed served as president and majority owner. Having discerned a call to vocational ministry, Ed sold the insurance business in 1965 and began a doctoral program in accounting at LSU in hopes of teaching business and accounting at the collegiate level at a Christian university. In 1966, Ed accepted a teaching position at Southwest Baptist College (now Southwest Baptist University) in Bolivar, MO, where Ed established the department of accounting. He received his PhD in accounting from LSU in 1973. An influential teacher in the lives of his students for decades, Ed continued to grow SBU’s accounting department during his tenure as professor of accounting. During this time, he also served as VP of Financial Affairs. Ed’s devotion to his work was inspired by his faith. A lifelong Southern Baptist, Ed was a member of First Baptist Church in Bolivar, where he served as deacon. Ed and his wife Theo also taught a Sunday School class for young married couples for many years at the church, affectionately known as the “Clark Class”. Ed also served as President of the Bolivar Rotary Club and established the Bolivar Civic Service Award, given annually to an outstanding member of the community. After retiring in 1992, Ed enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, along with hosting friends and family at the Clark’s house on Table Rock Lake, where he often fished. After his wife, Theo, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and entered memory care, Ed remained a devoted husband, visiting her each day until her death in 2011. After Theo’s death, Ed continued to be involved in his church, community and invested in his relationships with family and friends. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Theo, and his brother Van. He is survived by his two children, Randy Clark (Tom Maddox), of San Diego, and Wayne Clark (Lee Ann), of Bolivar, grandchildren, Lacy (Kyle) Ellman, Jamie and Margot of Seattle, and Michael Clark of Waco, TX. He will be remembered as a caring teacher, devoted husband, friend, and faithful follower of Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Citizens Memorial Healthcare Foundation in Bolivar, MO. A celebration of life will be held January 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the First Baptist Church of Bolivar Fellowship Hall.

Dr. Benjamin "Ed" Edward Clark

February 19, 1928 - December 18, 2024