Honorable W. Murray Clark

LINCOLN - Hon. William Murray Clark of Murray Drive, Lincoln, passed away Thursday evening, Jan. 7, 2010, at Littleton Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was 82 years old.

Born on Jan. 26, 1927, in West Milan, he was the son of Edward Pullman Clark and Florence Loretta (Murray) Clark.

In 1944, Murray graduated from Lincoln High School. He was valedictorian, class president, and at age 17, the youngest member of his class. His valedictory address focused on expressions of gratitude. On behalf of his classmates, he presented the school with an honor roll that listed the names of Lincoln High School members who were in the service, "working and fighting that others may have the chance to graduate from Lincoln High School as free Americans."

In March 1944, he met with a recruiting officer and agreed to enlist in the U.S. Navy for 24 months. He arranged to leave in the fall, so that he could help his parents at the Ranch (Clark's Trading Post) through the summer season. The U.S. Navy selected Murray for the officer's training program. He attended both William's College and Brown University for this training.

On Oct. 25, 1952, he married Barbara Avery.

Along with his brother, Edward Murray Clark, he was co-owner of Clark's Trading Post in Lincoln. His legacy as bear trainer, showman, and entertainer at Clark's Trading Post spans many decades and is continued by his family today.

Elected to the State of New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1972, he served 10 years as a Representative to the General Court.

Over the years, he was active in several community organizations; serving as a fireman on the North Woodstock Fire Department, as a Boy Scout leader and as the second president of the Lincoln-Woodstock Chamber of Commerce.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Barbara Avery Clark; his children, Nola C. Grant and her husband, Callum, and children Rory, Iain and Bridie Grant, Maureen S. Clark and her husband, Vladimir Akhlatkin, Murray A. Clark and his wife, Sylvia, and children Grant, Liam and Willa, and Andrew A. Clark and Whitney Henault, and their children, Mason and Emma Clark; and many nieces and nephews.

His brother, Edward Murray Clark, died Sept 24, 2009.

Public Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Lakeview Reception Room at Indian Head Resort, 664 U.S. Route 3, Lincoln.

Funeral services are private. Burial will be in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Lincoln.

A public memorial service will be held June 12 at the Pavilion at Clark's Trading Post.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 177 Union Ave., Laconia 03246; or to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia 03246.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fournier-Hale Funeral Home, 144 Main St., North Woodstock 03262.