Malcolm Pat Clark

Malcolm Pat Clark, 94, born July 21, 1929, a native of Murray, Kentucky, departed this life for eternity on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, with family at his side at home. He had lived most of his life in Hampton Roads, Virginia. A member of West Hampton Baptist Church for over 60 years, he served as a Sunday school teacher for over 55 years. He coordinated the origins of the longstanding ministry for the State School of the Deaf and Blind in the early seventies, as well as served as a mission instructor and baseball team coach.

After serving in the U.S. Navy in the early 50’s, Pat completed studies at Murray State University in western Kentucky and later at George Washington University in Washington D.C. He began a long career at Langley Research Center (LRC), NASA, where he retired as the Head of Training of the Personnel Division in 1988 after 37 years of civil service. During his career at LRC, Pat was instrumental in advancing the recruitment and training provisions for both the engineering and secretarial co-op programs. These LRC recruits were primary contributors to projects Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Viking. These efforts were honored with the Borman Award presented to Mr. Clark after years of facilitation between NASA and major universities around the country.

Upon retiring from NASA Langley, Mr. Clark instructed for both George Washington and Golden Gate Universities. He eventually became a full-time retiree and farmer along the banks of his beloved James River. He was a faithful supporter and member of the Gideons International, Peninsula Rescue Mission, Hampton Exchange Club, Civic Association, Isle of Wight Christian Outreach, Isle of Wight County TRIAD, Western Tidewater Board in Suffolk, VA and a founding member of the Carrollton Civic League. His decades of leadership on the Billy Graham crusades were one of his most valued areas of service.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Muncie and Tempest Clark of Murray, Kentucky, as well as his three older siblings Fred Clark, Dorris Clark, and Quava Smith-Honchul, all of Murray, Kentucky. He is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Joan R. Clark of Carrollton, son Stan D. Clark (Jan) of Carrollton, his two daughters Rhonda C. Laufer (Terry) of Williamsburg and Patricia Clark of Suffolk, Panice H. Clark (mother of Ashby and Patrick) of Smithfield; Five adult grandchildren Ashby Pope (James), Patrick Clark (Emily), Rob Laufer (Candice), Joanna Denny (Ted), and Mallory Lester (Alan); with eight great-grandchildren Eli, Zeke and Isaac Laufer, AJ Pope, Maddie and Teddy Denny, Rylan and Addie Lester, with Daniel Denny due in April.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, February 19th, at Little’s Funeral Home in Smithfield, with Glenn Jones, formerly of Smithfield, officiating. Private burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Luke's Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Sunday the 18th at Little’s Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Peninsula Rescue Mission at 3700 Huntington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607, or the Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program at 402 Grace Street Smithfield, VA 23430.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude for the services afforded to Pat Clark by AmeriCare Plus and Medi-Home Health Hospice. Thank you, Michelle Billups, Diane, Mary, and Kendra.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.