Howell R. Clark

Dr. Howell R. Clark, age 98, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Hickory Woods Senior Living Community in Murray.

Dr. Clark was born on August 9, 1926, to Joseph Howell and Susie Compton Clark, an unusual marriage due to a 40-year age differential. He grew up in the Shiloh community of Calloway County. He attended Faxon High School throughout and graduated in 1944. He was the last survivor of that class. He was drafted into the Army in early 1945 and completed Infantry Replacement training, during which the European conflict ended. He applied for and received a Dependency Discharge, thus beginning seven years as the principal support for his parents. Following his father’s death in 1952, he continued support for his mother while completing requirements for the B.S. in Chemistry at Murray State. Graduate study at Vanderbilt University for the M.S. ended in 1958 coincident with marriage to Rebecca Clark (nee). Five years as Chemist for Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas followed, during which Robert Van and Susan Elise were adopted as infants. To provide a better environment for their upbringing, a move back to the Murray area occurred in 1963 with employment in the Chemistry Department of Murray State College. Four years later he returned to Vanderbilt to gain Ph.D. in chemistry. He retired from Murray State in 1986, having received multiple awards during his years as a Chemistry Professor. Retirement years were spent on the family farm growing cattle and amateur wood working. 

Preceding him in death was Rebecca, a wonderful wife of 60 years, despite the late stage of marriage; two half-brothers, Olva and Van; three half-sisters, Lillie Ross, Emily Jones, and Grace Seaford are also among the deceased; as well as a son-in-law, Keenan Mayfield.

Survivors include one son, Van Clark (Cindy) of Cerulean, Kentucky; one daughter, Susan Elise Mayfield of Murray, Kentucky; three grandchildren, David Clark (Jaycey) of Fredonia, Kentucky, Daniel Clark of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Scott Mayfield (Carrie) of Murray, Kentucky; as well as eight great-grandchildren, Hutson Clark, Annistyn Clark, Paisley Clark, Mason Clark, Lily Clark, Makaidyn Clark, Downs Ty Mayfield, and Brooke McClain. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with John Dale and Steven Hunter officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. 

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Howell and Rebecca Clark Scholarship, checks made payable to the MSU Foundation, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com