Colin Ray Clark

Colin Ray Clark, 87 of the Magnolia community in Stone county, passed away Thursday at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. He was born August 23, 1933 at the family home in the Myrick community of Jones county, the 5th of seven children to Luman Horace and Mattie Lucille (Touchstone) Clark. Colin grew up there in Myrick during the Great Depression and like every family, they made the best of what they had. He enjoyed fishing and most all sports, especially baseball and football. He played both baseball and football in school, at a time when football helmets were made of leather. A graduate of Myrick High School, he joined the United States Air Force, serving as an MP among other duties. Following his discharge, Colin attended Jones Junior College, where he boxed and and played semi-pro baseball for the Alabama Bears. He went to work in the oil field, spending time in Texas and offshore. In 1969, Colin moved to Biloxi and started moving houses after Hurricane Camille. He made a career moving houses all across the Southeast, from Biloxi to Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida and more. In his spare time, he raised fighting chickens and fought them, until it became frowned upon and he gave it up. Following Hurricane Katrina, Colin, or "Papa" as he was affectionately known by those closest to him, retired to spend more time fishing, playing with his grandkids and going to ballgames. A regular fixture at MGCCC baseball, softball and football games, Colin made sure umpires and referees did their jobs well. If they strayed or made a mistake, he was right there to let them know about it! He is remembered as a loving but straight-forward father and grandfather. A Christian by faith and member of Perkinston Baptist Church for many years, Colin was an outgoing man who loved his church family and never met a stranger. He surely loved his family and did his best to teach them the values of life. One of his most memorable sayings was, "If you ask a chicken whether he would rather fight, or be fried, what do you think he would say?" That was his approach. He stood for what he believed, and will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded by his parents, L.H. and Mattie Clark; his loving wife, Rose Jaquline Clark; his brothers Pete, Bill, Cliff and Dale Clark and his sister Bet Treptow. Left to cherish his memories are: his children - one son, Kenny (Mimi) Clark of Runnelstown, and daughters Angie Fila of Irvington, AL, Rebecca Cornelson of Perk, with Jennifer Forbish and Tracy (Phil) Massey, both of Mobile; and his only remaining sister Mary Lou Carter of Biloxi. Colin leaves a legacy of thirty-one grand and great-grand children: Leigh Ann, Amber, Alicia, Ashlee, Virginia, Sandra, Cokey, Emily, Zack, Colton, Wyatt, Carolyn, Madison, Lexie, Hunter, Pricilla, Trevor, Bryson, Kolby, Jaylee, Lucas, Cassidy, Kendra, Laila, Ansleigh, Weston, Kadin, Carter, Carleigh, Kirsten and Kyson, along with untold numbers of extended family, friends, houses moved and sports officials that may never have known his name, but knew he was there. His final wishes were to be cremated, which his family is honoring. A celebration of his life will be January 9, 2021 at the West Side Community Center on Magnolia Road in Perkinston. Friends and family are encouraged to come celebrate Papa's life together. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Clark family in their time of need, asking everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayer over this difficult time.