Jerry Ezzell Clark

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Jerry Ezzell Clark, age 91, passed away peacefully at home in Indian Land, South Carolina.

Jerry was born in Spray, North Carolina on June 4, 1932 to the late Ruby S. (Perry) Clark and the late Amon Leslie Clark.

Raised in Danville, Virginia he graduated from George Washington High School.  Jerry attended Virginia Tech (VPI) and graduated in 1955 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering.  At Tech, he was an ROTC officer in the VPI Corps of Cadets.  As a member of the Cotillion Club, Jerry helped to organize big band concerts and formal dances for the VPI faculty and student body.

In 1955, Jerry was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, Corps of Engineers and served at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.  In 1956, he transitioned to the US Army Reserve and retired in 1963 at the rank of Captain.

In 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Myrtice Brock Wrenn.  In 1955, they moved from Blacksburg to Martinsville, Virginia where he was employed by E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. as a mechanical engineer.  Jerry specialized in the design, development and manufacturing of spinnerets (extrusion dies, used to make Nylon fiber).

In the 1960's and 1970's Jerry was an event organizer and volunteer for Lynwood Golf & Country Club.  He also volunteered with the Cub Scouts and other local organizations.  In 1974 Jerry co-founded the Martinsville High School Band Boosters and raised funds by organizing local concerts by Buddy Rich, Count Basie and other big bands.

In 1987, Jerry and Myrtice relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where he continued with DuPont in the Fibers Division.  In 1991, Jerry retired from DuPont and worked as an engineering consultant.

Jerry was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of Martinsville for over 40 years, where he served on the Finance and Building Committees and on the Board of Trustees.  In North Carolina, Jerry and Myrtice attended Calvary Church and in later years attended Matthews United Methodist Church.

Jerry's passions were his family, friends from Wesley and Virginia Tech sports.  He enjoyed reading, camping, photography and automobile restoration.  His hobbies also included electronics; in the 1950's, he designed and built a high-fidelity audio system.  In the 1990's, Jerry was an early adopter of personal computers and the internet.

Jerry is survived by his son Kenton L. Clark (Stephanie C.) of Blacksburg, VA, daughter Jeri C. Lawrence (Barry W.) of Waxhaw, NC and brother-in-law Col. Hubert Earl "Bud" Wrenn (USAF retired) of Dumfries, Virginia.

He is also survived by six grandchildren; Brian V. Lawrence (Amber H.), Timothy D. Lawrence (Jacque F.), Bethany N. Lawrence, Benjamin T. Clark, Virginia L. Clark (Zachary W. Tolson) and Elizabeth C. Stroud (Caleb Z.); three great-grandchildren and extended family.

A private service will be conducted.  Interment will be at Danville Memorial Gardens in Danville, Virginia.

Memorials can be made to Wesley UMC of Martinsville , the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets or to VIA Health Partners (Hospice & Palliative Care - Palmetto Region) .