The small town of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and the Greers Ferry Lake community are mourning the tragic loss of 66-year-old Mark Clark, who died following a boat accident at Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas.
Mark’s passing has left a deep void in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him. A man of great faith, generosity, and kindness, Mark’s sudden and untimely death has shocked everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mark, originally from Flora, Illinois, had a deep connection to Greers Ferry Lake, a place where he and his family had spent decades creating lasting memories. For over 40 years, Mark had visited Devil’s Fork Resort, where he and his family owned property.
This was a place where many of his happiest moments were shared with close friends and family. Mark’s friend, Steve Carpenter, reflected on the tragedy, saying, “It’s devastating to all of us. Any boat accident is tragic, but when it’s a friend of yours, it hits home.”
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission was involved in the search for Mark after the accident, which occurred on the night of Thursday. According to Keith Stephens, the chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mark’s boat was discovered near the edge of a bank close to a bridge that spans the lake.
It is believed that Mark may have been ejected from the boat after it crashed into a pylon on the bridge. His wife, Terri Clark, had spoken to him around 11 p.m. that evening, and by Friday, authorities had yet to recover Mark’s body.
Steve Carpenter added more details about the tragic incident, explaining that the boat was traveling at full throttle when it ended up on the opposite side of the lake. As the search continued, sonar equipment and search boats were deployed to scan the lake floor.
However, the search was complicated by the lake’s depth, with the water reaching up to 100 feet deep in some areas, where debris from a previous bridge had accumulated. Despite the difficult conditions, the community remained hopeful that Mark would be found, but the search efforts were a reminder of the inherent dangers of the lake.
Mark Clark was known for his immense faith and his unwavering kindness to those around him. A devout man of God, Mark’s life was marked by his generosity and his ability to make a positive impact on everyone he met.
Steve Carpenter described him as “very kind, very generous,” adding that “everyone that knew Mark, loved Mark.” His presence was a steady source of comfort and support to his family and friends, and his death has left a profound sadness in the hearts of all who knew him.
The tragedy has reverberated through the Greers Ferry Lake community, where neighbors and friends have rallied to support Mark’s family in their time of grief. Local businesses have reached out to offer food and comfort, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the community that Mark had been an integral part of for so many years.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Terri Clark, who is grappling with the sudden loss of her husband. His passing has left a void in the lives of his children, extended family, and many friends. In Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and beyond, the memories of Mark’s kindness, faith, and joyful spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were touched by his life.
As the search for Mark’s body continues, his family and friends remain hopeful and united in their grief, remembering the man who gave so much to his community, his family, and his friends. A memorial service to honor Mark’s life will be held in the coming days, as the community comes together to celebrate the legacy of a man who made the world a better place with his kindness and generosity.
Mark’s passing is a tragic reminder of the unpredictability of life, but his legacy will endure in the memories of all who loved him. Rest in peace, Mark Clark. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
