Robert Earl Clark

We are here today to pay tribute to a man who was born with a fishing rod in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, the one and only Robert Earl Clark. Now, Robert, or ’Bob’ as he was known to his fishing buddies, was a man who lived life on his own terms, with a twinkle in his eye and a joke on his tongue. Born on February 22, 1955, in Dothan, Alabama, he had a remarkable journey that ended unexpectedly on July 27, 2023, in Headland, Alabama.

Robert was the love child of the late Simpson Clark and Betty Clark and grew up in a lively household with his five siblings.

In addition to his parents, Robert is preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Ann Clark, Buddy Clark, and Lessie Brooks. And let’s not forget his dogs, Thor and Paisley, who were his loyal companions, and often the butt of his jokes.

A proud father, Robert is survived by his children, Robert "Eric" (DonnaRose) Clark, Nikki (William) Stokes, and Madison Clark, who are all testament to his strength, his humor, and his ability to fix anything, from a broken toy to a broken heart. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who will carry his legacy forward. His sisters, Barbara Corbin and Gail Byrd, will surely miss their big brother’s infectious laughter and endless stories.

Robert’s work life was as robust as his fishing tales. As a Heavy Equipment Operator for Quality Concrete, he was known as the guy who could make a concrete truck dance a jig. After a hard day’s work, he could be found at Hog Pin, fishing for Crappie and Catfish, always with a grin on his face that said he was up to something.

Robert was a simple man, a hard worker, a family man, and the best uncle one could wish for. He was the kind of man who always had to have his watch, not because he was ever on time, but because he liked to know exactly how late he was.

In his younger years, he drove the ice cream truck, a job he took just so he could make children happy (and maybe because he got free ice cream). He loved coffee so much, we’re pretty sure his blood type was ’Folgers’. He was always active, whether it was fixing things around the house or making everyone around him laugh.

Robert Earl Clark was a man who was as funny as he was friendly, as optimistic as he was mischievous. He had a heart as big as his humor and he left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He was a man who lived life to the fullest, and his spirit will live on in the stories we tell, the jokes we share, and the love we hold for him in our hearts.

So, here’s to Robert, a man who was always the life of the party, even when there wasn’t a party. He will be remembered not with tears, but with laughter, not with sorrow, but with joy. Because that’s how he would have wanted it. Goodbye, Robert, we hope the fish are biting wherever you are.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604