Ernest Clark

Obituary

Ernest Ray Clark October 17, 1934 – December 21, 2025 Ernest “Ernie” Clark was born on October 17, 1934, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Roswell S. Clark and Mary Creech Clark. He passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025. Ernie was raised in Portsmouth and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953. Following high school, Ernie briefly attended Chowan College in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, while serving as a member of the Virginia National Guard. In 1954, Ernie began his distinguished military career with the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force, serving honorably until 1963. While stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, he married his first wife, Dolores “Dee” Shaffer Clark, in 1957. During his Air Force service, which included assignments at several bases such as Torrejón Air Base in Madrid, Spain, Ernie continued his education by taking college courses whenever possible. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1963, Ernie settled in Amarillo, Texas. He worked for American National Insurance Company while attending West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. In 1965, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, aspiring to become a basketball coach. When coaching opportunities were not available, Ernie began a career that would define his professional life—public service and city management. From 1965 to 1968, Ernie served as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Amarillo, where he discovered a passion for city government.

He went on to serve as Assistant City Manager in Stillwater, Oklahoma, from 1968 to 1970, while also pursuing coursework in Public Administration at Oklahoma State University. Ernie’s career in municipal leadership spanned over decades and communities. He served as Executive Director of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission in Amarillo from 1970 to 1975; City Manager of Kingsport, Tennessee, from 1975 to 1979; City Manager of Bryan, Texas, from 1979 to 1991; and City Manager of Tyler, Texas, from 1992 until his retirement in 1997. Even in retirement, Ernie continued to serve as Interim City Manager in Jacksonville, Kilgore, and Paris, Texas.

Following the loss of his first wife, Dee, to a two-year battle with breast cancer, Ernie was blessed to meet and marry Della Poulos Clark in 1996. Together, they made their home in Tyler, Texas, where they enjoyed 29 years of marriage and retirement. They shared a love of travel, visiting many countries, and even spent a year living in England while assisting Ernie’s son in his business. Together, they served faithfully for many years in the Gideons International organization.

Ernie was a lifelong Christian who dedicated his life to serving God, his family, his friends, and his community. He served in leadership positions such as congregation president and Elder or Head Elder in every church he attended throughout his adult life, including Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler. He was an active member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including the International City/County Management Association, Texas Municipal League, Rotary International, Toastmasters Club, Sister Cities organizations in Bryan and Tyler, Gideons International, and Grassroots America: WE THE PEOPLE. Throughout his career and life, Ernie was blessed by strong mentors and was deeply committed to mentoring others—both professionally and spiritually—leaving a lasting impact on many. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; Roswell and Mary Clark; his first wife, Dee Clark; and his brother, William “Bill” Clark. He is survived by his loving wife, Della Poulos Clark; his children Katherine Clark Wolfe and her husband Mike, Mitchell Clark and wife Kathy, Anthony Scott Clark and wife Kristine,

Cynthia Poulos Atherton and husband Russell, Cassandra Poulos Mays and husband Kyle, and Christina Poulos Pope and husband Jason; as well as 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Ernie’s life was one of service, leadership, faith, and devotion, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for January 10th, 2026, at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and Gideons International.