Happy Tuesday, Everybody!
Today’s blog is very special, because it’s dedicated to a very special man in my family. Even though he’s living the good life in Glory, I still recognize that today would have been his 79th Birthday.
Of course, I’m talking about my grandfather, Clark Kenneth Jones!
I know that I introduced my Grampa Clark to you all on a number of occasions. I may have even shared a classic cherished moment that I had right before he passed away. I was two years old at the time, but I clearly remember my Grampa Clark picking me up and lifting me high above his head, then suddenly “dropping” me. I also remember him singing the theme song to the nostalgic TV show That Girl, and referring to me as such. Those are the only things that I remember about my Grampa Clark—again, considering I was only two years old—but I still cherish those very memories in my heart.
The following is an excerpt from Grampa Clark’s obituary that I would like to share with you all:
In 1976, Clark moved his family to Los Angeles, California, where he and his family united with First Baptist Church of Culver City. In 1977, Clark witnessed his dream come true when he was appointed kindergarten teacher at Sapp Elementary School. Known as one of the original pillars of the Sapp Elementary Family, Clark founded the school’s motto: “Shaping the kids of today for tomorrow.” His mission was to reach at least one child, and he exceeded his mission after several students referred to him as their “most favoritest teacher in the whole wide world.” When Clark retired in June 1993, he was succeeded by next door neighbor and best friend Bret Douglas.
Clark was such a joy to be around, and was anything but shy. He was also a big kid at heart who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved and lived life, up to the fullest and beyond. Clark also was a huge wrestling fan, and loved to throw Christmas parties and host Fourth of July celebrations.
When I read the part about my Grampa Clark being “anything but shy,” I had to chuckle on account of because that statement is the bona fide truth. I have watched home movies and skimmed through the pages of many photo albums for myself to know that my Grampa Clark was quite the gregarious fella. He loved to have fun, even if it was at his own expense. Case in point: There’s a home movie from Fourth of July 1994, where Grampa Clark creatively combined a barbecue/fish fry with a mortgage burning ceremony (I was barely five months old at the time). In the movie, Grampa Clark was pretending to instigate an argument with Gramma Jewel, Mrs. D, and Mrs. Duncan over some cornbread. The pretend argument then escalates into laughter, as the ladies triple team my poor little grandfather, and everyone is just bustin’ up laughing. Knowing that he is completely outnumbered, Grampa Clark shouts out: “Well, y’all was the ones who wanted to know where the cornbread was—hell!” And then everybody busted out laughin’ again.
Yep, that was Grampa Clark in a nutshell!
Well, I guess I had better get going and close this blog up… and just by the nostalgic memories of my grandfather, I’ve been hit with a brainstorm: I’ve got more footage for my Grampa Clark homage! Let me get on it, but I’ll holla at y’all tomorrow.
And by the way: Happy 79th Birthday, Grampa Clark—I love you lots!
Hugs & Kisses,
Natasha
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