Larry D. Clark

Larry D. Clark was born February 7th, 1941 in New Albany, Indiana.  He was the son of Elmer (Bud) and Mary Clark. During his childhood, he lived in Texas and Ohio, eventually coming home to Indiana. As a 16 year old in the Civil Air Patrol, he met his wife, Jane (Shields).  They married on September 3, 1960.  Soon after, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Larry found a love of speed and drag racing.  During the 1960’s, he built and worked on various types of dragsters and racecars for himself and others including Mario Andretti and Richard Petty.  He  also competed in NHRA events alongside Don Garlits, Parnelli Jones, Connie Kalitta,  and Joe Amato, among many others. He became a very talented welder and worked on many construction projects including the Glen Canyon Dam. Larry and his wife moved back to Indiana in 1968 to raise their children near family and he went to work at Schue and Kniss in Louisville, Kentucky as a welder.  In 1972, they bought their “dream house” in Salem, Indiana and they spent many months restoring the home to its former glory.  Larry went to work for Mattox Machine Shop in Salem, Indiana and also worked at Smith Cabinet.  In 1983, Larry and his son Brian operated Salem Dirt Drags east of Salem that attracted racers from as far away as California.  Through the years, he was known by the nicknames Sparky and Trailblazer to those he worked with and to a large group of teenagers and young adults that came to get advice about cars and life, he was affectionately known as Papa Smurf. Larry and Jane made many friends through country and western dancing and enjoyed traveling to various places to dance.  They appeared on TNN’s Club Dance in 1994 and spent many weekends dancing throughout Kentucky and Indiana.  Larry also enjoyed fishing and prospecting.  He made several trips with his brother, Buddy to creeks and rivers in search of gold and gemstones. Larry was a member of Blue River Friends Church, Salem Masonic Lodge 21, York Rite, and York Rite College of Corydon. Survivors include: wife, Jane Clark; son, Brian (Renne) Clark; daughter, Shannon (Tim Peace) Weidekamp; brother, Buddy (Teeum) Clark two grandsons, Max and Sam Weidekamp. A loving husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, and friend, he will be missed by many. There will be a graveside service at 11:00 AM Monday September 14 at the Blue River Friends Cemetery next to the church on Quaker Road, Salem.  Jeff Wells will officiate. Online expressions www.hughestaylor.net