Arthur Southern ”Sonny” Clark, Jr. of Creve Coeur, Missouri passed away at home on August 19, 2020 surrounded by family.

Art was born October 23, 1937, to Arthur S. “Clarkie” Clark, Sr. and Florence “Irma” Newell Clark in Mounds City, Illinois. He graduated from Mounds Township High School in 1956 despite a few shenanigans, and served in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1960, including assignments in Japan, South Korea, and Montgomery, Alabama. He married Ruby “Eloise” Beck of Montgomery on May 20, 1961 at First Baptist Church, Mounds, Illinois. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2018.

He graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and worked for Monsanto for more than 30 years. He started as a lab technician in St. Peters, Missouri, then became an environmental chemist in Decatur, Alabama, and finally a research chemist in St. Louis. Art loved what he did professionally, and claimed that he “never worked a day in his life” because of it. He was a ham radio operator, bowler, and an avid golfer. He was a lifelong music lover (especially 50’s rock, Jazz, Gospel, Opera and Classical). He valued education and was a lifelong learner, taking community college classes into his 70s. He appreciated well-cooked meals, which were always plentiful thanks to Eloise, and enjoyed “breakfast with the guys” on Saturdays.

Art loved the Lord Jesus Christ and faithfully served him throughout his life. He taught Sunday School to middle school boys and was ordained as a deacon in Decatur, Alabama. He taught Sunday School for more than 30 years to his men’s group at Parkway Baptist Church in Creve Coeur, where he served in many ways including the prison ministry, car clinics for single women, and as a deacon. He went to Belize on a mission trip and was changed by his time serving the people of that country. He was humble about his gifts and talents, usually deflecting praise with self-deprecating humor. He truly felt the Lord had blessed him with it all. In his last months, he faithfully listened to Sunday School lessons and watched Sunday worship services, which brought him great encouragement and comfort.

Art was a family man first. He was a wonderful father but found the greatest joy in his grandchildren. He loved to tease and joke with them, attend their games, concerts, and events, and discuss all manner of topics that interested them.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a nephew, Timothy Drew Mize; and his brother Kenneth Clark. He is survived by his daughters Barbara Clark Pappas (Mike) of Austin, Texas and Karen Clark Kline (Eric) of Manchester, Missouri; a sister, Carol Jean Clark Mize (Kenneth) of Villa Ridge, Illinois; sister-in-law Mary Sue Clark of Alton, Illinois; nieces Anita Lucas (Mike), Valerie Marshall (Joe) and Linden Ziegler (Walter); nephew Kevin Mize (Debbie); grandsons Jim and John Pappas; granddaughters Erika and Sarah Kline; step-grandsons Jonathan and Joseph Kline; a number of beloved cousins and many wonderful friends. His passing leaves a deep void in our family, but we rejoice in the assurance that he is with Jesus and Eloise again.

There will be a memorial service online through the Zoom platform on Saturday September 19th beginning at 10:00 am with a slideshow before starting at 9:45 am. Please contact a family member or Parkway Baptist Church via email Parkway1@parkwaybaptist.net or phone (314) 434-2310 for the link to the meeting.