Louie Clark honored in May 20 ceremony

Powell said politics is a “treacherous thing,” adding that he was glad to learn from a veteran in his younger days.

“I was fortunate that I learned from Louie Clark,” said Powell. “He was my mentor … He’s part of that greatest generation. Louie’s abilities and brand of service was cast in his service in WWII.”

Powell added that Clark did a lot to improve school bus and transportation safety.

All of the legislators praised Clark’s wife Ann.

“The greatest accomplishment of his day was marrying Ann Clark,” said Powell.

Clark has not been in great health recently and he sat through the remarks with an oxygen tube under his nose. But the former legislator offered his thanks to all who attended Sunday’s ceremony.

“Thank all of y’all for showing up today,” said Clark. “It’s your highway. Y’all put me in a position to do these things. I hope I wasn’t derelict in carrying out what you wanted me to do.”

Clark drew big laughs when he told about a woman who asked what he was going to do now that the road was named after him.

“The first thing I’m going to do is make a toll road out of it,” he joked. “That’s where all the money is. But I’ve got to find a good toll master.”

He said the woman then asked him if the position had been filled.

Clark praised Clyde Fitzpatrick, saying “his name should be up there too.” He said his wife was “the brains of the outfit” and he thanked former BOC chairman Bill Madden for his service, saying “he did so much for this county.”

The ceremony included refreshments and ended with the unveiling of the road sign in front of the library. Clark’s granddaughters Carrie and Jenna Dove stood in the back of a pickup truck and pulled off the heavily taped trash bag from the high sign with a little help from Clark’s son Ken. Louie Clark watched from a nearby car as the crowd applauded the unveiling.