Nearly 1,000 gather to honor Caldwell sheriff

Lenoir native died of cancer after 27-year law enforcement career

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

BATON - Nearly 1,000 friends, family and colleagues gathered Tuesday morning to say goodbye to Sheriff Gary Clark, who was remembered for his wit and fierce loyalty to Caldwell County.

"My, did he love to laugh," childhood friend and UNC Chapel Hill Police Chief Derek Poarch said in his eulogy. "Mischievous and smart. What a combination."

Clark died Friday afternoon, three months after winning a second term and less than two months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

"Gary fought a good fight," said longtime friend the Rev. Roger Beck. "He was a man of deep convictions, unshakable courage and great vision. He was a champion of the law, and ... he loved the people of Caldwell County."

Clark, a Lenoir native and former Lenoir Police Department captain, worked in law enforcement for more than 27 years. A Republican, he was elected sheriff in 2002 and won a second term in November.

A month later, Clark was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has few early symptoms, and was hospitalized two weeks ago. He died shortly after 1 p.m. Friday at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.

At Tuesday morning's funeral, the parking lots at Mountain Grove Baptist Church were filled with at least 60 vehicles from police departments and sheriff's offices. Hundreds of cars filled adjoining parking lots.

After the service, nine pallbearers, dressed in crisp Caldwell County Sheriff's Office uniforms, carried the coffin from the church to the hearse waiting outside.

Although Clark's administration was marked with controversy, including a 2002 vote-buying scandal led by a few renegade supporters and two 2006 investigations by the State Board of Elections, friends Tuesday remembered Clark's dedication to Caldwell County.

"The sheriff had two very contentious elections, both filled with hurtful and personal attacks," Poarch said. "In both situations, he always held his head high and moved forward because he was a man with principles and believed in what he was doing."

Clark is survived by his wife, Kim, and daughters Megan and Michelle. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for his daughters has been established at the Bank of Granite.

Maj. Alan Jones, who is next in command at the Sheriff's Office, will fill the sheriff's role until county commissioners appoint a replacement.


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