Joseph Murry Clark Sr
September 23, 1925 ~ February 18, 2012
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Joseph Murry "Joe" Clark Sr, 86, of Asheville, died Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals.
A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late Lee Greeley Clark and Sarah Rickman Clark. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Lewis M. Clark.
Joe began Vance School in September of 1932 and graduated from Lee Edwards High (now Asheville High) School in May of 1943 in a 408-member graduating class. He was elected President of the Student Body in 1942 for the 1942-43 school year, beginning a lifelong relationship with friends in his class.
Within three months of graduation, his father died at age 40 and Joe entered the military. After basic training and promotion to sergeant, Joe entered Armored O.C.S. at Fort Knox, KY, graduating and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at age 19 and served in the S. Pacific with the 7th Regiment 1st Calvary Division. Leaving active military service in 1946, he remained in the Army Reserve for a number of years, becoming a Captain and Headquarters Company Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 518th Regiment, 108th Airborne Infantry Division.
Upon return from active service, he met the love of his life, Zunita H. Wakefield, a 1946 graduate of Flora MacDonald College and the Minister of Music and Director of Christian Education at his home church, West Asheville Presbyterian.
Joe completed the Graduate School of Consumer Banking at the University of Virginia. He joined Wachovia Banks retail lending department in 1952, was promoted to assistant manager of the department on July 1, 1955 and elected as an Assistant Vice-President of the bank in April of 1958. He served as President of the Asheville Chapter of the American Institute of Banking and Treasurer of Asheville's United Fund from 1960-1962. He was Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of West Asheville for several years.
He was transferred to Charlotte by Wachovia in December of 1962 and promoted to Vice-President and Manager of Wachovia's Time Payment Department (the bank's largest such department) in January of 1963. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, United Fund and served as Chairman of the Consumer Banking Division of the NC Banker's Association in 1966-67. He was one of the organizers of Charlotte's Consumer Credit Counseling Service, the first such organization of this nature in the Carolinas.
Joe was named Regional Manager of the Sales Finance Department of Wachovia's Southern Region in 1972. He retired from Wachovia on October 31, 1980 and became Executive Director of the Greater Charlotte Auto Dealers Association for 10 years.
Always active in the church, Joe served the West Asheville Presbyterian Church as Chairman of the Diaconate, Elder, a church school teacher, and a commissioner to the Asheville Presbytery. In Charlotte, as a member of the Sardis Presbyterian Church, he served as an Elder and church school teacher and was active in the Charlotte Presbytery. Joe and Zunita have served on the Board of Visitors at Montreat College with Joe serving one term as Chairperson.
In 1996, after 34 years in Charlotte, Joe returned to his beloved mountains and became a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church. His hobbies included tennis, yard work, wood working, and keeping up with old friends in the WWII year classes of Lee Edwards High School.
Joe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Zunita Wakefield Clark; one daughter, Susan Fullerton and her husband, Wayne, of Atlanta, GA; one son, Joseph Murry "Joe" Clark Jr. and his wife, Terri, of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Mary C. Lucas of Asheville; four grandchildren, Ben Sprinkle, Kent Sprinkle, Joseph M. "Trey" Clark, III and Taylor Clark; three great-granddaughters, Hannah, Ella and Claire Sprinkle as well as several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Green Hills Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 25 at New Hope Presbyterian Church on Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville. Reverend Anne Morgan will officiate both services.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803 or to a charity of one's choice.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My deepest sympathy to his wife,
Zunita, and family. I was born 1943 and finished lee edwards 1961 (actually 62). Joe was always friendly and willing to share, he gave me the 1943 reunion 1998 address book. Very sad I will not be able to email him. But will see him in Heaven.
We are blessed to have gone to Lee Edwards with Joe and have him as a friend. There will never be another friend like him. He loved people and never met a man he didn’t like. We have enjoyed so many good times with him. We extend our sympathy to his family.
Peace be with the Joseph Murry Clark, Sr. in this most difficult of times. They continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Words can’t express how sorry we are and how lucky we feel that we got to know such a wonderful man. He was the first one to welcome us when we moved 2 houses down a few years ago and was always such a light, coming over to bring cookies to our boys and smiles to our faces. We love you Mr. Joe Clark! You will be missed. Ellie, Brady, Emmett and Isaac
So very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a cheerful and absolutely wonderful human being and he will be missed by many with whom he kept in touch.
Dear Zunita & Family
What can we say? We were so shocked when we learned that Joe was in the ICU, and of course we were so saddened when we heard of his death. Our class has become so close
due to Joe that we feel like family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
David & Jean
Dear Zunita & Family
What can we say? We were so shocked when we learned that Joe was in the ICU, and of course we were so saddened when we heard of his death. Our class has become so close
due to Joe that we feel like family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
David & Jean
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of Joe. Our prayers go out for Junita and the family. We are thankful for the many years we could be called hes friends.
Charlie & Helen Cordell
Dear Zunita, I was distressed to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a very dear friend of mine, and everyone in the ’43 Class, and will be truly missed. David Moore informed of his entry into the ICU Ward, and Loveta checked by there Thursday while Volunteering that day. I’ll be there for his service.
Walt Lewis
I was shocked and saddened when I learned of Joe’s untimely death. He was so kind to share his class, and other classes, info with many of us. I will miss those communications. I extend my sincere sympathy to his family.
Joe & Terri,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Love,
Jim & Kristen
Speaking on behalf of the late ‘Buckner Girls’ (Gwyn, Jackie, and ‘Bubbles’) please know how much Joe Clark’s friendship meant to all members of Lee Edwards Class 42-43.
My brothers and I, along with our cousins, were able to learn many family stories thanks to Mr. Clark’s sharing spirit and generous nature.
Our condolences to his entire family and the surviving members of his beloved Lee Edwards Class.
With great respect, admiration, and gratitude we offer our hearts and minds to his family and friends.
My sincere sympathy to the family. Will miss Joe very much. Because of health problems will not attend the services but my prayers and thoughts are with you.
from Mouse sent by daughter Myra Buckner
Zunita and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss; It is not only a loss for all of you but for all of us at New Hope Presbyterian, as well…. Joe was one of the ‘ Pillars ‘ of the church that is for sure and he fought valiantly to the end before ‘ Giving up the Good Fight ‘.
May God’s Peace and love surround you and comfort you in the days and weeks ahead….
Yes, Joe was so nice and we exchanged email..He not long ago sent us a picture of himself and wife..We shall really miss him and his email…Much love to family,
Yes, Joe was so nice and we exchanged email..He not long ago sent us a picture of himself and wife..We shall really miss him and his email…Much love to family,
Joe, the sincere voice of faith and practice, unafraid of either, and dedicated to both. Always a kind word, a firm handshake and commentary relevant to the events of the day, Joe was one of those unforgettable characters who either wins or worms his way into our hearts, where he dwells in the respect and deep appreciation that motivates even this comment. R.I.P., dear Joe, you have made your mark exceedingly well. Zunita, our hearts go out to you for this great loss, yet, we know he is happy across the Jordan, singing some of those wonderful, old hymns he loved so. God bless you and yours.
Juanita and family,
God bless and comfort you. May Joe’s soul be in God’s loving arms. He will be greatly missed!
Sorry for your loss, my prayers are with your family.
Joe,
Condolences to you and your family. I lost my Dad last March. You are in my prayers. Tell your mom I said Hi.
Zunita, SOOOO, sorry, I am gonna miss Joe, on Facebook, cause He and I talked about My Mother, Kate Mashburn that He was in school with, 1943….Graduated with Her. May God Bless You, and one day, will be a happy day, cause You will see Him again, Take Care,
Janet
Joe, Jr, Susan, & Mrs Clark: so sorry to learn of your loss. Mr Clark was such a nice person. I have fond memories of him playing ball with all of the kids in your driveway, him attending East Mecklenburg ball games, & seeing him occasionally eating breakfast at the Cotswold Hardee’s
Joe, Jr, Susan, & Mrs Clark: so sorry to learn of your loss. Mr Clark was such a nice person. I have fond memories of him playing ball with all of the kids in your driveway, him attending East Mecklenburg ball games, & seeing him occasionally eating breakfast at the Cotswold Hardee’s
Dear Zunita: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. What a loss to the world! I remember with great pleasure our time together in the Dealers Assn, when Joe was our director.
I send my sincere condolences to the entire Clark Family. I worked with Mr.Clark from 1974 to 1976 at Wachovia Bank and found him to be inspirational leader to help us accomplish our responsibilities with honesty and dignity. It was an honor to know and work with him. I will always remember him.
I am so sorry for your loss. Joe was a wonderful man and we will all miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. I wish it was possible to be with you to share your grief. I send you my love.
Hope
Zunita, I am so sorry for your loss. You & Joe are very caring people and I am glad I got to know you. I work for Miss Millie and you were so good to us when Robert’s wife (Judy) passed & when my Mom passed. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Zunita, I am so very sorry for your loss. You, Joe and Mary were so very special to Dad Lanning and you are so special to me. My heart breaks at what the world has loss with Joe’s passing. I know both Dad and Joe are with our good Lord, Dad telling everyone that Sam Patton is older than Billy Graham, and Joe reciting everyone’s name, spouses name, children’s names and birthdays. I will never forget him or how wonderful he was. May God bless you, and I hope to be able to see you again soon. All my love to you and Mary. Starlett
We will treasure our memories of Mr. Clark.
Our earliest is watching Mr. Clark mowing Joe’s yard when Mr. and Mrs. Clark came to Atlanta to visit. We were young and just married. I guess he was like a father to all of us. He always took time to talk to us.
I will treasure my little wooden trinkets that he made and gave to me.
To all the family, our prayers are with you.
We will treasure our memories of Mr. Clark.
Our earliest is watching Mr. Clark mowing Joe’s yard when Mr. and Mrs. Clark came to Atlanta to visit. We were young and just married. I guess he was like a father to all of us. He always took time to talk to us.
I will treasure my little wooden trinkets that he made and gave to me.
To all the family, our prayers are with you.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love, Jay and Terri
So sorry to hear about the loss of Joe Clark! He was a very intelligent and hardworking man. He was also a very kind and giving man, who will be terribly missed by his family and friends. He had a way of making each and every person he met feel special, and we loved him for it.
I met Joe in the 1970’s when I was a teller at Wachovia Bank. We reconnected in the 90’s when he & Zunita wanted to sell their home in Charlotte to move back to Asheville. Joe went thru his photos and found one of me behind the teller line, dressed for Halloween. He projected that photo on the wall when I came to list their home for sale. He & Zunita have sent me a birthday greeting ever since. How special is that! The world needs more men like Joe Clark.
Zunita – may God be with you at this very sad time and give you the strength to go on until you can be with Joe again in heaven.
With much love
Diane
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Anne
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Sincerly,
Nancy Brooks
Susan McCann