Philemon “Phil” Clark

A closed casket funeral service for Philemon “Phil” Clark, 65, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November, 9, 2013 at Mustard Seed in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. He died Monday, November 4, 2013 at Baldwin City Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.

Philemon was born July 6, 1948 in Longwood, MS. He was the twelfth of thirteen siblings to Lillie B. (Tyler) and James Clark.

At age 14 after the death of his father, Phil moved to Alton, IL with his mother and other siblings. He attended public school and graduated from Alton High School.

In 1967 Phil moved to Lawrence, there he met the beautiful girl Barbara Valentine Clark, and married her on December 31, 1967. To this union three children were born.

Phil worked at the City of Lawrence Water Department for several years. He later moved to Emporia, KS where he worked at Iowa Beef for seven years. In 1987 his family moved back to Lawrence, where he worked in construction for several home builders including Planet Construction Company. During that time, he worked several odd jobs. Later, Phil worked in the Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Frank Galloway.

Due to his love of music, he later sang and played the guitar for the Harmony Kings of Topeka, KS. Phil was a fun loving person who enjoyed life. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Philemon Clark, Jr., Chad Allen Clark; two brothers, James Clark, Jr. Doyle Clark, Sr.; two sisters, Ollie B. Smith, Ruth Glover. He leaves to cherish his memories, Barbara Clark; two daughters, Loletha Clark, Danita Bratton; eight sisters, Lucy Walker, Josephine Galloway, Mary Rials, Queen Clark-Shorter, Lillian Cooper, all of Lawrence, KS; Rosie Shorter, Beatrice, NE; Addiest Rouse, Chicago, IL, Bernice Zachary, St. Louis, MO; one brother, Lloyd G. Clark, Hutchinson, KS; two sisters-in-law, LueVern Clark, Alton, IL, Linda Clark, Coffeyville, KS; three brothers-in-law, Alfred Rouse, Chicago, IL, Collin Shorter, Gary Cooper, both of Lawrence, KS; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2013 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.