Benjamin C. Clark, Sr.

Ben C. Clark of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at his home. Mr. Clark was born in Maryville on September 10, 1905, the son of Jessie Cates and John M. Clark. In 1936, he married Frances Foute of Lenoir City, with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage and who preceded Mr. Clark in death in 1992. Mr. Clark was a direct descendant of several pioneer Blount/Sevier County families (Brabson, Cates, Clark, McCorskey, Toole and Wilkinson) who settled in this area during the period of 1780-1790. Ben C. Clark graduated from Maryville Polytechique High School and then took a degree in agriculture from UT, graduating in 1926. Mr. Clark was a well-known farmer who for many years (1931-1968) owned and actively farmed Tallequah Farms in Monroe County on the Little Tennessee River, until it was acquired by TVA for the Tellico Dam Project. He also owned the Niles Ferry which was in continuous service from around 1880 to 1947. Ben Clark and his neighbor, John Carson, with the help of the UT Department of Agriculture, introduced irrigation and other modern farming methods into Middle East Tennessee in the late 1940's. In the period 1948-1965, Mr. Clark served on the County Court, the Equalization Board and the Soil Conservation District of Monroe County. He was a past president of the Knoxville Milk Producers Association and the Mid-Western Milk Marketing Association. The Clark dairy herd was a top producer for many years. Mr. Clark was a very active member of the Oakland United Methodist Church near Vonore until moving back to Maryville where he has been, until recently, an active member of Broadway United Methodist Church. In retirement, Mr. Clark became an avid golfer, he played until almost 90 years of age, also participating in seniors tournaments. He was also a well-recognized vegetable gardener, always willing to pass on ideas to others. Ben. C. Clark is survived by his son, Benjamin C. Clark, Jr., of Atlanta; nieces, Frances L. Thomas of Nashville and Carol L. Rankel of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; nephew, William F. Terry of Kinston, N.C. and first cousin Irene Cates Thompson of Maryville and Denver. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James A. Dougherty officiating. The interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Clark home between 3 and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, and also before the service at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Blair, Randy Blair, Douglas Masingo, David Post, Gary Russell and Robert Thompson. Those who wish, may make memorials to Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN 37804 McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Maryville, 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com