Mr. Julius Irvin Clark, age 91 of Griffin, passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Brightmoor Nursing Center.

Mr. Clark was born on June 26, 1924 and was a resident of Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius O'Neal Clark and Maggie Hutson Clark; wife, Pauline Peeples Clark; two sisters and their husbands, Myrtis Clark Hooper and Hiram Hooper, Estelle Clark Banks and Tom Banks ;two brothers and their wives, Wilbur H. Clark and Jewel Coleman Clark and J. Carl Clark and Clara Barnette Clark; brother in law, Doug Chapman; niece Emily Gayle Clark, five nephews, Billy Hooper, Wayne Chapman, Lyn Banks, Eddie Banks and Royce Banks, and daughter in law, Wilma Tramel Clark, wife of Keith Clark.

Survivors include his three sons, Dennis Keith Clark, Rickey W. Clark and wife Marsha Montgomery Clark, Barry G Clark and wife Janie Howle Clark; grandchildren, Whitney Clark Ziemak and husband Ed and Nick Clark; step-grandchildren, Beth and Ben Hobbs; sister Louise Clark Chapman; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Clark was a Class of 1942 graduate of Spalding High School. He loved sports, played football, and was voted three top places in the boy's senior class "Who's Who" contest.

After graduation, he was in the first 18 years old draft to leave Spalding County. He enlisted in the US Navy, and after boot camp, storekeeper school and serving at the Navy Base in Staten Island, New York was assigned to the USS Melville, known to many Navy personnel as "Mother Melville" since it was a repair and supply ship. Their destination was off the coast of England to serve, repair, and supply some of the landing craft going to and from Normandy Beach during the D Day invasion. After the war was over in Europe, he sailed back to Brooklyn Navy Yard to resupply and perhaps be reassigned to the Pacific Theater. However, during a leave, the war in the Pacific also ended. He sailed to Jacksonville, Florida and later received his discharge.

When he returned to Griffin, he and his brother, Carl, went into the grocery business as partners in Griffin for almost 40 years. Mr. Clark was a member of Second Baptist Church; however, he spent most of his life at Teamon Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a life member and past president of American Business Club, young at Heart and First Friends.

After retirement, Mr. Clark enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, craft woodworking and scrapbooking. He and his wife, Pauline enjoyed 67 years of marriage.

Funeral service for Mr. Julius Irvin Clark will be held on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 2:00PM in the chapel of Haisten McCullough Funeral Home. Dr. S. Ed Hoard and Rev. Wendell Banks will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday from 6-8pm at the funeral home.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.