A funeral Mass for Deacon Lawrence “Larry” Clark was celebrated on April 11 at Immaculate Conception Church in St. James. Deacon Clark died April 6. He was 81.
Deacon Clark was ordained on June 6, 2009, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis by Bishop Robert Hermann. He was first assigned to and assisted the pastor at the former Immaculate Conception Parish in Maplewood and the Pastoral Care Department at St. Mary’s Health Center.
In March 2012, Deacon Clark and his wife, Mary, relocated to the Diocese of Jefferson City where he was assigned to assist the pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in St. James and St. Anthony Parish in Rosati. He served in that assignment until his retirement on March 1, 2019.
He served his parishes by presiding at Communion services, baptisms, preaching, funeral services and weddings and serving with various parish commissions and ministries. Additionally, Deacon Clark served seniors and veterans by regular visits to nursing homes and the veterans home.
In his professional career, Deacon Clark served as a police officer for 30 years, in which he worked in several different municipalities as a patrolman, detective, fire and arson investigator and assisted the Major Case Squad on occasion.
He retired from the police force in 2000, and after recovering from bypass surgery, began working for the St. Louis County Court system as a bailiff until retirement in 2012 to the farm life in St. James.
Deacon Clark is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Clark (nee Holman); sons David (Tina), Lawrence Jr. (Nichole) and John; daughters Rachael Barbour (Rob) and Regina Townsend; three brothers, three sisters, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
