Major Alvin Clark

CLARK, Major Alvin
Portage Major Alvin Clark was born October 6, 1927 in Midland, MI to the late Herbert and Edith Clark. He was educated in Midland schools and graduated in June 1945. He was born and raised in the Nazarene Church, but he and some friends visited The Salvation Army to see the women preachers. After the service, the officer said, "See you next week!" and young Alvin told her, "Okay." That week, he knew he had to keep his promise and began attending the corps regularly. He was the first graduate corps cadet and the first cadet to enter training from the Midland, MI Corps. He was ordained as a Lieutenant from The Salvation Army Training College in Chicago in 1949. His first appointment was Calumet, MI. While there, he met Lieutenant Shirley Rowe of Hancock, MI and they married in June 1952. Ironically, Lt. Clark was a member of the Peacemakers Session, while Lt. Rowe was a member of the Warriors Session 1947. Despite their session names, they celebrated 60 years of marriage, providing a true example of a godly marital partnership. Combined, they held 16 appointments in the Central United States including Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and Western Michigan. They also served for 4 years in Ohio. They retired from active service in 1992 from the Traverse City, MI Corps. Within his 43 years of service, Major Clark enjoyed ministering to young men through the Boy Scouts of America, Red Shield Boys Club, and other boys programming, especially through the outdoors. He took great care in securing stable financial positions for every corps and managed three building projects. Majors Clark were delegates to The Salvation Army International Congress in London, England in 1978 and toured the Holy Land in 1989. Wherever he served, he sought to reach out to those that seemed lonely and in need of a friend. Major Clark was an active member of the communities he served. He was a member of Rotary International and Kiwanis International. His service was so exemplary in Traverse City, MI that he was nominated and became a member of the George E. Hixson Fellowship. Even in retirement, he continued to serve and was past President of the Keweenaw Kiwanis Club of Hancock, MI. His is survived by his beloved wife, Major Shirley Clark; three children: Major David Bonnie Clark of Des Plaines, IL; Joel Jane Clark of Kalamazoo, MI; and Rhoda Clark Terry Wilds of Kalamazoo, MI; nine grandchildren: Jonathan Clark, Becky Clark, Ben Heather Clark, Katy Doug Engle, Cadet Betsy Clark, Sam Clark, Sarah Wilds, Nick Wilds, James Wilds; three great-grandsons; his sister, Dorothy Seaman, of Midland, MI; his brother, Ralph Clark, of Midland, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents; a brother, Duane Clark; and two infant sisters. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel. 622 S. Burdick St. on Wednesday from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM in The Salvation Army Citadel, 1700 S. Burdick St., with Major Timothy Best officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, at the Citadel, beginning at 10:00 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Salvation Army.