John Clark

CLARK, John T.V., 82, passed away at home November 25, 2006, under the care of East Pasco Hospice. His wife and other family members were at his side. He was born December 21, 1923, in Lexington, Ky., to John and Inez Wilson Clark. The family moved to Lakeland, Fla. when John was age 2, but he alternated attending schools in Lakeland and Lexington during his younger years. While a student at Florida Southern College, he was drafted into World War II service. He rose to the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, flying as the navigator on a B-24 "Liberator" bomber from Shipham Air Force Base England. He was in the Eighth Air Force with the 44th Bomber Group. When the war ended, he resumed his studies in music and English at Florida Southern. He obtained his master's degree in music from Columbia University. He took the position as band director at Zephyrhills High School in the fall of 1948, where he taught for 30 years. He retired in 1978. Throughout his life, John was very active, playing with various bands in the Tampa Bay area. His primary instrument was trumpet, but on occasion he played bass guitar, keyboard, and valve trombone. He backed up such notables as Burt Bacharach, Liberace, Vic Damone, Patty Paige, and Mel Torme. Another of his favorite hobbies was woodworking, but his favorite pastime was traveling to exotic locations of the world with his wife Joanne. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; sons, Kenneth (Lori) of Galax, Va., Steven (Lynne) of Sugar Land, Texas and Bruce (Lori) of Palm Harbor, Fla.; stepsons, Larry (Susan) Beddingfield of Dade City, Fla. and Steve (Ann) Beddingfield of Albuquerque, N.M.; sister, Margaret Burr of Lakeland, Fla.; and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Audrey. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Craig Ford officiating. Interment and commital services will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens in Dade City, Fla. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday, November 27, at the church.