Melvon M. Clark, Sr. 88, departed this life Sunday, November 8, 2020. Visitation will be held Friday, November 20, 2020 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020; Wake at 12:00 p.m. and Service at 12:30 p.m. at the Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home, 14601 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH. 44110. Interment will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020 at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, OH 44273. Arrangements entrusted to Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home, 14601 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110. www.smith-funeral-home.com

Services will be live streamed on Facebook via the Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home Cleveland Page. You may access the services approximately 10 minutes prior to the Funeral Service by clicking this link. Click Here to View Live Streaming of the Funeral Service .

OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY THE FAMILY

Melvon Morris Clark, Sr. was born Melvon Morris Banks on January 23, 1932. Early on November 8, 2020, at age 88, Melvon Morris Clark, Sr. answered the call of the Lord. He was born to the late Lillie B. Collins (James) and the late Andrew Banks (Theola) in West Helena, Arkansas. Lillie B's sister, the late Gertrude Clark and her husband Garland, also deceased, adopted Melvon in the early to mid-1930's, and Lillie B. and Andrew continued to play a vital role in his life. The family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio when Melvon was 8 years old.

Melvon received his formal education through the Cleveland Public School System and was one of four Black students in the John Marshall High School graduating class of 1951. During his time in high school he played football, ran track and served as student council treasurer. Immediately after graduating Melvon joined the United States Air Force. While stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa, Florida, he met and married the love of his life, Willie Mae Johnson on February 4, 1954. Seven children were born to this union: daughter, Patricia and son, Morris preceded Melvon in death. His military career afforded him the opportunity to take his family around the world until he retired as Master Sergeant in 1971. After retirement, Melvon was employed by Cleveland Public Schools as an educator at Aviation High School until he was hired at NASA Glenn Research Center. He worked at NASA as a safety inspector until his second retirement approximately 30 years ago.

Melvon and Willie Mae raised their family on the west side of Cleveland where the Clark family was well known in the community. He led his family to Christ and joined Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Roland Crowder. Melvon served faithfully in ministry as a deacon, trustee, and choir member until his health declined. He was an avid bowler and loved traveling to various tournaments across the country. He also enjoyed fishing, playing dominos, and watching his favorite sports team, the Cleveland Indians. He was a master of math and could solve any math equation faster than a calculator.

Melvon was a member of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio – Excelsior Lodge #11 where he was duly initiated as an Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in his lodge. He was honored with a certificate for over 50 years of service in 2015.

Melvon loved life, a good time, and most of all his family. Therefore, his loving wife of 64 years Willie Mae; children: Evangeline Wright (Bizell), Nicholas Clark, Sr., Denise Fisher, Sherry Jackson (James), and Everett Clark, Sr. (Sherjewel); grandchildren: Zenovia Wright of Washington DC, Nicole Clark, Nicholas Clark, Jr., Brandon Clark, Tiara Wright, Tyrone Meeks, Jamael Jackson, Lynndale Glover, Joseph Jackson, Everett Clark, Jr., and Kaitlyn Clark; sister-in-law, Annabelle Conner and niece, Annette Williams (Sam), both of Florida, and nephew, Calvin Conner (Gail) of Virginia; a host great grandchildren, relatives, and friends will hold fast to his memory and forever CELEBRATE HIS LIFE.