CARLTON L. CLARK

Carl, Carlton Leon Clark, photographer, retired US Army Major, teacher, philanthropist, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, after a long illness was called home on December 24, 2015. At 82 Carl Clark had lived a long and full life. He is missed and loved by many. In 1951, Carl started a career in the US Army. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the first of two tours of duty in Vietnam, he converted to Buddhism. His military record over thirty years was exemplary but he retired wounded in his soul. He traveled to Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America and Canada. Upon his military retirement, Carl pursued a career in photography. He obtained a degree in Fine Arts and Sociology from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). At MICA, Carl met Linda Day. Carl often said that Linda saved him. She helped him to learn to live with the wounds created by war and violence. Carl was an internationally acclaimed visual artist and freelance editorial photographer. His degrees in Fine Art and Sociology propelled his photography toward social documentary. Carl has also described his influences as Buddhism, Roy DeCarava, world travels, African ancestors, spirituality, family, women and two and a half years of combat. Carl was a passionate man who loved the simple pleasures of life and was deeply committed to community. His passions included, photography, family, friends, cooking and eating good food, Star Trek, The Next Generation and his Wives, Linda, Joan and Minola. Carl married his childhood sweetheart, Minola Edwards in 1952. Minola passed away in 1963. They had four children, Carl, Kevin, Kelly and Minola. In 1963, Carl met and married Joan Williams. They had three children, Christopher, Lara and Russell. Carl married Linda Day in 1994. Linda's son, Jameel, is Carl's eighth child. Carl diverse and extensive exhibits earned him critical acclaim including being named, "Champion of Hope" by the Baltimore Sun. His photographs are in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian (Washington, DC), the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York, NY), the Museum of Fine Art (Houston, TX), the James E. Lewis Museum of Art at Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), and the Maryland Historical Society (Baltimore, MD). His work is in numerous private collections. Carlton Leon Clark was born July 26, 1933, Dorchester, MA on a Wednesday, the third child of Elias Edward Clark and Leslie Edith Saunders. Carl is survived by his wife Linda Day Clark, former wife Joan Williams, his children, Carlton Clark II, Kevin Clark, Dr. Kelton Clark, Minola Clark Manson, Lara Clark, Russell Clark and Jameel Day, his brother Sidney Clark, his sister Barbara Elam, his grandchildren Symetri Clark Harlow, Michele Clark, Malcolm Clark, Curtis Clark, Christopher Redd, Maisha Manson, Jonathan Thomas, Preston Clark, Olivia Clark, Solomon Clark, Paloma Day, Serafina Day, great grandchildren, Andre Harlow, nieces Judith Edwards, Patricia Elam Walker, Jocelyn Elam, nephews Harry Elam, Jr., and Andreas Clark, and grandnieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Minola, his son Christopher, his brothers, Kenneth and Winston Clark, and his nephews Kenneth Clark II, Sidney Clark, Jr., and Keith Elam. Carl holds a B.A. degree in sociology from the University of Nebraska and B.F.A. from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland.

Tributes

CARLTON L. CLARK

July 26, 1933 - December 24, 2015