Howard

Clark

Howard Crawford (Pat) Clark, aged 102, passed away peacefully at Tel Hai Retirement
Community, the Meadows, on September 4, 2025. He was born in Flushing, NY July 12, 1923.
He was the son of John Howard Clark and Margaret (Daisy) Crawford Clark. He attended local
schools and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in his early teenage years, where he attended
Duncan Preparatory school for boys. After high school, he attended Emory University in Atlanta
and tried to join the Army Air Corps at that time. He was unsuccessful at first because of a health
issue, and after time pursued a solution and was finally allowed to join the Army Air Corp at the
age of 19. He trained as a pilot for two years, and after all that training was ready to board a
ship to fight in the European arena when, on the day of boarding the ship, World War of WWII
ended. He used to like to tell the family that he earned his pilot's license before he learned to
drive a car. After the war and his service ended, he attended Vanderbilt University and
graduated with a liberal arts degree in English. Howard (Pat) is survived by his daughter, Kim
Clark Esposito, Chester Springs, PA, John Stahlman Clark of Placitas, NM, and Claiborne
Crawford Clark of Highlands Ranch, CO. He is also survived by his daughters in law Jeanette
Marie Clark, Placitas, NM and Martha Erin Clark of Highlands Ranch, CO and his son in law
Dominick Gaetano Esposito. His wife, Martha Stahlman Clark, predeceased him in death. Also,
survived by Howard are 7 grandchildren, Lucas, Dominick Esposito (m. Mellissa Rachelle
Patterson), Samuel Legrand Esposito (m. Natalie Joan Hague), Chandler S. Clark, Hayden, S.
Clark and Rebekah E. Clark, Angus Michael Clark, Kelly Crawford Clark, and one great-granddaughter, Ms. Elowen Rachelle Esposito. Also surviving is his niece, Leigh Anne Cheves
McCarty and husband Sean McCarty, Houston, TX. Howard was known really as Pat. As a child,
his two Aunts nicknamed him Pat, and that adopted name stuck throughout his life. Howard was
a member of St Mark's Episcopal Church of Honeybrook. They celebrated his long life with great
support, laughter, and celebration. Howard (Pat) Clark was a man of many talents. After
graduating from college, he moved to New York City, where he retained his first much-desired job as a
copywriter in Advertising. He worked for both firms, Kenyon and Eckhart, as well as Cunningham
and Walsh. Advertising is where dad honed his writing skills, but also his enthusiasm and desire
to produce art boards and art. After a few years in NYC, he moved back to Nashville, where he
met and married Martha Stahlman. They met on the dance floor the night before Thanksgiving
and were engaged 6 weeks later. They married only 4 months after meeting on that dance
floor. After marrying, they moved to Boston so he could work for the American Screw Co. That
always made us laugh! After 2 years, he and Martha moved back to Nashville, where he sold
advertising for WSM and the Grand Ole Opry TV show. After a time, he took on a sales position
handling all of the control states for the company, Jack Daniels. This job projected him to what
ended up being his lifelong career. Not only did he work for Jack Daniels, but he also worked for
Kobrand Corp, and eventually, between 1982-91, he worked for Grand Metropolitan, now known
as Diageo. The subsidiary was called Morgan Furze. He represented many liquor brands
throughout his career. Some were Beefeater Gin, Gineste Wines, Pusser Rum, J&B Scotch,

James Cato scotch, Glen Morangie, Glenfiddich, and Singleton scotches, Bailey's Irish Cream, and
Sambuca Romano. He single-handedly catapulted his son, Clay Clark's fraternity, into a RUSH
bonanza by donating 500 shirts for Rush that said Pi Kappa Phi and Sambuca Romana on the
back. It made an awesome marketing statement. After 1991, he ran his own business
representing Skyy to the Military bases around the country. Howard (Pat) was a remarkable
marketer and known for his skill at promoting and artistic eye, both in print and advertising.
Howard (Pat) Clark was a lover of Football, Tennis, Golf, Skiing, and Baseball. He played all those
sports growing up but was his worst enemy when he was playing poorly. He never could get
that forehand just right. He had a few favorite football coaches that he met in his life. They
were Dan Devine, Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi, and Earl Balik. He coined the phrase 3 and 10
about the history of Vanderbilt Football. He loved going to/or watching games and was always
an Army football supporter. Howard (Pat) loved music. Sinatra, swing music, Mac the Knife, and
of course, the Rat Pack played often in the background of the home while growing the family. He
loved reading history and discussing both history and politics. Howard (Pat) loved the English
language, and his favorite authors were Hemingway, Maugham, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, in later
years, Daniel Silva. Finally, Howard (Pat) was a professional, dedicated artist. He never produced
art to sell; he only produced art to better hone his skills. He practiced almost every single day.
He taught many about the right side of the brain and how to use that as an artistic base to
practice. He often produced paintings for the family and gave his work to them as a Christmas
gift. Howard (Pat) produced art in multiple mediums. Oil, watercolor, pastel and pen, and ink
were often used for his studies, and as age took over, he took to oils and colored pencils. He was
most picky about his drawing pencils. Howard (Pat) loved the United States but most out west
and never missed an opportunity to paint a butte, mountain or landscape. Toward the end of
his life, he and his caretaker, Aubrie, would set up projects to paint, and he would guide her in
instruction. Howard (Pat) told good stories about the past and was extremely proud of his
military service. He lived a long life, sometimes with trials and tribulations, but always with
optimism and a toast of good cheer! There will be a private memorial service with family. The
family asks that any donations be made to Brandywine ASPCA or a charity of your choosing.