Lou "Champ" Clark

Lou "Champ" Clark, 66, of C.C. Drive, Morganton, NC died Sunday, April 16, 2006 at his residence following a brief illness. He was born July 31, 1939 in Burke County, and was a son of Mary Elizabeth Crowder Clark of Morganton and the late Manley E. Clark, Sr. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by brothers, Reid A. Clark, Steve Clark, Clyde Clark, Paul Clark, and Manley E. Clark, Jr. Lou was a faithful member of Missionary Ridge Baptist Church and a member of the Adult Men’s Sunday school class. He graduated from Salem High School in 1957. In that same year, Lou joined the US Air Force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic until his discharge in 1961. Following his Air Force service, he worked at Great Lakes Carbon for several years. He then worked at Broughton Hospital where he retired in 1991 as the hospital’s Chief of Police.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lottie Hudson Clark of the home; a son, Curtis Fike and wife, Shelley of Morganton; daughters, Lisa Fike of Morganton, and Suzanne Crawford and husband, Chris, of Morganton; grandchildren, Zachary Fike, Courtney Fike, Nichole Ware, Haleigh Ware, Emily Crawford, and Jacob Crawford; a brother, Mark Wayne Clark and wife, Linda of Marietta, GA; a sister,

Wanda Feimster and husband, Steve of Morganton; and a number of nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and church family.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at Missionary Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Donald Lovelace and Rev. Eddy Bunton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 until 4 pm at the Life Enrichment Center of the church. At other times, the family will be at Champ Clark’s residence, 2046 C.C. Dr., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life, c/o Janice Rogers, 4768 East Drive, Morganton, NC 28655, or to the Catawba River Baptist Association Christmas Toy Store, c/o Donald Lovelace, 3970 US 64, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.