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Clark Was Born To Be A County Leader

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By CHERYL BENTLEY and JO-ANN JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The scion of one of Pasco County's oldest families died Sunday morning from Parkinson's disease.

David "Hap" Clark Jr., 85, was part of Pasco County's history. His grandfather, James W. Clark, came to the area from Brooksville in 1880 when land here could be homesteaded. Clark's own father was a carpenter, fisherman and county commissioner.

Clark and two brothers were interviewed together on videotape in recent years about their rich family history and Pasco County's early days.

Of the many things Clark loved about Pasco County, one was the local fishing and down-home cooking, said Susan Clark, his wife of 18 years. "He could make the best mullet of anybody I know of, smoked or fried," she said, and for years he operated a seafood restaurant, Clark's Landing.

In his younger days, Clark played football, served in the Coast Guard and graduated from Rollins College. He enjoyed a career in the Pasco County public schools as an educator, in roles from teacher to principal to football coach. He also earned a master's degree in education at the University of Florida.

A Democrat who was always interested in government, Clark had more time for local politics after retiring from education in 1979, his wife said.

He served on the Pasco County Commission for eight years starting in 1992. He wasn't known for being a big talker on the commission. But that didn't mean he wasn't listening attentively and considering issues carefully, said longtime county Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who served with Clark during his tenure.

"I'll tell you," Mulieri said, "Hap took it all in."

Clark took pride in being the swing vote - on his first major decision in 1992 - to approve the purchase of a building for a government services center in Land O' Lakes, so that central county residents wouldn't have to drive to New Port Richey or Dade City, his wife recalled.

The building, at 4111 Land O' Lakes Blvd. (U.S. 41) now is named for Clark.

"He was always involved in progress in Pasco County," said Marc Yacht, a physician and retired Pasco County Health Department director.

Clark stepped down from the commission in 2000 to mount an unsuccessful campaign for Pasco tax collector.

He attempted a political comeback, losing a bid to return to the county commission in 2002 and running unsuccessfully for the New Port Richey City Council in 2005.

Later that year, Clark and his wife found out he was suffering from Parkinson's, a degenerative disease.

"He fought it for two years," said Susan Clark.

He died Sunday morning at the couple's home on the Pithlachascotee River.

In addition to brothers Page and Jim and his wife, Hap Clark is survived by sons David III and William; daughter Susan Teets; and stepchildren David Lancey and Lorna Avery.

Viewings will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 3. at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, 6616 Congress St., New Port Richey.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4 at First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey, 5901 Indiana Ave.

Information from Tribune archives was used in this report. Reporter Jo-Ann Johnston can be reached at (352) 521-3062 or jfjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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