Jewel Wayne Clark

Jewel Wayne "PopPop" Clark, Chief Petty Officer, WWII Navy Veteran, and resident of Centreville, MD, passed away on March 2, 2023. Wayne or "PopPop" as he was known to his friends and family was born on December 5, 1918 or 1920 (depending on whom you ask) to Lloyd W. and Mineola (Fallis) Clark in Alicia, AR. He attended school in Alicia before going into the 3 C's (Civilian Conservation Corp) 1937, prior to enlisting in the Navy in 1939. The first ship he was assigned to was the USS Broome. He then was assigned to the USS Hilary Herbert DD 160. The USS Herbert received 7 battle stars during the war. Wayne's Navy career was extensive and had assignments in numerous countries. He met his beloved Margaret (Onufer) Clark while he was in port at New York. He would see her every time he came into port, writing from the ship to keep in touch. They were married in New York City on July 10, 1943. He then shipped out on the USS Hilary Herbert DD 160 (APD-22). It was hard being away from his wife as per the hundreds of love letters they wrote back and forth to each other. In June of 1944, while at sea, he became a dad to his son Robert W. Clark. In 1964, he and his wife decided to enlarge their little family and their daughter Barbara Jean was born. Wayne spent 22 years in the Navy. He lived in Cairo, Baghdad (where his family was evacuated to Rome (attached to the attaché), South Africa, Japan, Germany, and so many more. He also was part of the VF 124 GUNFIGHTERS out of Miramar, CA, which was the U.S Pacific Fleet Master Jet Base for Fighter Aircraft. Chief Clark also was awarded the Commendation Medal by the Navy Secretary for "outstanding performance of duty" for his role in a humanitarian rescue mission of 285 missionaries, doctors, and nurses from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also received a letter of commendation for his part in the Naval Airship Squad ZP-1. He achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and not long ago we discovered that he may have been the oldest living CPO from WWII. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6th award). He then started working for NSA at Ft. Meade, MD. When asked what he did at NSA, he would reply he was the Chief girl watcher there or the janitor. But we have since found this to not be true or maybe he was a watcher of some kind, we shall never know as he never talked about his time at NSA. He retired after 20 years from NSA in 1982. He received an award for 40+ years of Federal Government Service. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Margaret; their son, Robert Clark; and three siblings, Lonnie Maston Clark, Mona Roush, and Daisy Wells. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Burkhardt and her husband Robert of Centreville; grandsons, Patrick Rockwell, II, and wife Breah, Robert Burkhardt, Jr., and Hannah Schauber; great-granddaughter, Isla Rockwell (who was his greatest joy). He and Isla had a special bond as they were almost 100 years apart in age. He is also survived by his four brothers, Lloyd W. Clark, Jr., (Barbara), Julian B. Clark (Angela), Jim Clark (Carolyn), and Ronnie Clark (Charlene). Wayne celebrated his 100th birthday at his daughters home in Centreville in 2020. The Naval Academy sent a uniformed delegation of Navy Chief Petty Officers to sing him happy birthday. The town and many others sent him cards from all over the world. A local class of students sent him cards, he was very impressed with them. The Jeff Davis Post 18, Legion Riders also participated, presented him with a banner, plaque, and a 21 motorcycle salute. Senator Steve Hershey and Delegate Steve Arentz presented Wayne with a Governor's Citation. In February of 2020, Senator Steve Hershey invited Wayne to the Maryland Senate Floor to honor him for his service in WWII with a formal citation and a proclamation by the Senator's office. It was a great honor, and he appreciated it. A Visitation will be held on March 18, 2023, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newman Funeral Home in Centreville, MD, with a funeral service to follow. A reception with refreshments and lite fare will follow at the home of Barbara and Robert in Centreville. Burial with military honors will be held at the Florida National Cemetery at a later date, when he will be reunited with his beloved wife. Wayne "PopPop" was a very humble man, and, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity that is important to you. It was always important to him to give back.

Jewel Wayne Clark

December 5, 1920 - March 2, 2023