Lt. Clark

Lt. Ira Smith (Smitty) Clark

Brevard - Lt. Ira Smith (Smitty) Clark, US Navy, Retired died September 23, 2011 at Transylvania Regional Hospital. He was born in Boomer, NC to the late Ira Dewitt and Addie Lee Lunsford Clark.
He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Helen Houston Clark, who died August 5, 2008, three sisters; Kate, Edith and Frances, three brothers; Paul, Perl and Bennie.

Ira is survived by a sister; Mary Joe Cook of Canton, NC and a much loved Sister-in-Law, Phyllis Waters of Brevard, NC. and several nieces and nephews.

He lived in Wilkes County until he entered the Navy where he served 28 years, earning the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Three Stars as enlisted, Navy Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-Africian-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Medal (2 Awards), Vietnam Service Medal (2 Awards), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, China Service Medal, WW II Victory Medal, plus several personal letters of Commendation and Achievement Awards.

He served on the following ships and stations: USS New York BB 35, USS ATR 30, USS IX300 (German Cruiser Prinz Eugene) USS Briemerton (CA 130), USS Albany (CA 123) Naval Station Coco Solo, Canal Zone, USS Ticonderosa (CUA 14) , USS Shadwell (LSDIS), USS Mosopelea (ATF 158), USS Epping Forest (MCS 7), USS Lexington (CUT 14)Mine Squadron Ten, NAS Saufley Field, FL, Naval Inactive Ship Facility, Charleston, SC and NAS, Jacksonville, FL.

He retired July 1, 1973 from Naval Service. He was maintenance Superintendent for Flack-Jones Lumber Co., Summerville, SC. He and Helen returned to North Carolina in 1976 where they operated Helen Clark Realty for over 20 years.
A Memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, September 30, 2011 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Richard Handschin officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium with Military Rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard for Veterans of Transylvania County. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Lutheran Church Youth Program, 22 Fisher Road, Brevard, NC 28712.
To leave a condolence for the Clark family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .
Moore Funeral Home is caring for the family.