Clark Lawrence

Clinton Clark Lawrence. If you called him Clinton or Clint, you didn’t know him. He was Clark…a scholar, an avid reader, an expert on WWII, an incredible broker with a numbers brain that was beyond spectacular (a story you will hear), an early days of Hollywood trivia expert, a bowler, an umpire who gave his all, a gardener, the best weed whacker known to man, an endless and tireless lawn mower, and walker of dogs (a story you will hear). But beyond all else, a lover of family and so proud of his daughter, the man she married and the grandchildren. That was his crowning achievement. 

Clark was born and raised in Detroit and was a Cooley High School graduate. He played against Willie Horton and Bill Freehan in baseball as a catcher at Cooley. Clark enlisted in the Marines and after went on to college at Ferris State where he met Jackie. They married, had daughter, Wendy, and secured teaching jobs—Clark in Walled Lake and Jackie in a tiny town called Novi with its school on a dirt road. After a a few years, Clark wanted to branch out. He became the annuities contact for several school districts and then ultimately left teaching to become Regional Manager for The Hartford, once again working with annuity programs but with police and firefighters this time. Always a learner and with a quick head for numbers, Clark received several degrees and licenses and became a broker. He worked for Paine Webber and other brokerage houses and ended his official career at Broadstreet Securities in Birmingham. Up to the week before he passed, Clark was buying and selling stocks and keeping an eye on the market. 

Throughout his life and we mean throughout his life, Clark loved baseball and softball. He played in college. He registered with ASA Softball of Metro Detroit in 1970 and continued to umpire until he was over 80 years old. He was a Gold Level member of the ASA/USA Softball Medals Program and umpired in five ASA National Championships. He earned National Indicator Fraternity membership in 2011 and received an Umpire Staff Award at the 2023 Umpire Awards Breakfast for his support of the Metro Detroit ASA/USA Softball Umpire program. He loved his beat-up, ugly 2004 Honda Civic umpiring car but he finally gave it up at 240,000+ miles and donated it to the veterans. Clark and Jackie had almost 59 years together. They spent time traveling Europe, especially England his cultural heritage, the Caribbean, and the States. A life-long seeker of knowledge, avid podcast listener, reader of many newspapers, Clark knew what was going on in the world. He valued saving for the future and preached the value of using money wisely. Daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren have all been schooled by Clark in the world of finance. 

Clark really never met a dog he didn’t like. Rescues were his favorite—Toby, the tattoo-nosed Collie, Carter, Bailey, Murphy and Busy—Peter-the-dog, KaCee, Finn and Rocky—all were and are a part of the family. Cats were loved, too—Emily Dickinson, Ice Feam, Buster, Moosey, Ollie, Burger and Salami. It is said that if you love animals, you are a good person. We have at least sixteen examples to verify that. Clark leaves behind his wife, Jackie, his daughter, Wendy and son-in-law, Craig, three grandchildren—Kyle (Shelby), Reid (Brittney), and Devon (Rex). In addition, Clark has one sister Carol (Tom) and niece Jennifer and nephew Scott. As with all obituaries, this is only a piece of the man—the true measure lies in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He lived a good, loving life. His bright, kind of lopsided happy smile brightened the day. He will forever be missed and loved.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm with a “Let’s Talk Clark” celebration beginning at 7:00 pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or Michigan Humane, 2937 East Grand Blvd., Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48202 or Northville Civic Concern, 43275 Seven Mile Rd Northville, Mi 48167.