Special to the American Press

The Honorable Justice Marcus R. Clark, retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Sept. 25 in Gainesville, Ga. He was 68.

Clark was elected as an Associate Justice to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2009 to the Fourth Supreme Court District, filling the unexpired term of former Justice Chet D. Traylor. He was re-elected to a full 10-year term in 2016 after running unopposed. Clark retired from the Louisiana Supreme Court in June 2020. As justice, he served on several Supreme Court boards and committees including as chairman of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board, and as a member of the Internal Audit Committee and the Human Resources Committee. He also served as the Supreme Court’s liaison to the Louisiana District Judges Association. Justice Clark also was a member of the Sheriff’s Executive Management Institute Board.

“Justice Clark was a friend and mentor. He serves as an exemplar of judicial service because he exemplified the highest ideals of a judge: legal ability and integrity. Although he reached the highest point of judicial service by serving as an Associate Justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court, he always remained humble and approachable. He was always available to give wise counsel whenever his assistance was sought. I am grateful for his friendship and support,” said Justice Jay McCallum, who succeeded Justice Clark in 2020 as Associate Justice for the Fourth Supreme Court District.

United States Federal Judge Greg Guidry commented, “I have known Marcus Clark for well over 40 years. We met in law school and immediately became fast friends. Years later, we were both Justices on the Louisiana Supreme Court where we sat together at the Justices’ conference table every week for more than 10 years. In between, we were both prosecutors and Judges. Marcus never changed from the first day I met him until his final moment. He sought justice in every decision he made. He was the most kind, ethical, and dedicated person I have ever met. The only things he loved more than the law were his family and his faith. No one has ever deserved to be
called Your Honor more than Justice Marcus Clark. Marcus loved and respected everyone he knew, and that love and respect was returned in full measure. I will miss my dear friend for the rest of my life. I promise you that the State of Louisiana will never see a jurist like him again.”

“I am saddened by the passing of Justice Marcus Clark,” said Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “He was a good person and a good judge. He was humble, easily approachable, kind, respectful, and dedicated and diligent. I considered him a friend. For many years we worked together on presenting the Judicial budget to the Legislature. He was an advocate for the judiciary and was well respected and well received by the Legislature. As a Justice he was balanced and fair and impartial. He was dedicated to his family and friends and will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.”

A native of Sulphur, Clark was born Feb. 24, 1956, and was the son of the late Hilda and Gerald Clark. Growing up, he worked in the family’s washeteria and was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He went on to earn his Eagle Scout ranking and set his sights on becoming a police officer. After graduating from Sulphur High School in 1974, Clark enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe. While a student, he participated in Student Government and other campus activities. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Forty years later in 2014, Clark was the invited speaker for ULM’s Fall Commencement Ceremony.

Following a brief career in law enforcement, Clark attended law school at LSU, and in 1985 he graduated with his Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He returned to Monroe and joined the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney. In 1990 he was promoted to Chief Felony Drug Prosecutor where he assisted state and federal law enforcement with many high-profile drug prosecution cases. His expertise led him to help co-author the Louisiana’s Drug Asset Forfeiture Law and co-develop the National TOP Gun Seminar for law enforcement.

Clark began his judicial career in 1997 when he ran for and won an open District Judge seat in the 4th Judicial District after defeating seven other candidates. During his tenure, he served as the judge for the newly established Drug Court from 2000-2001. He also served as Chief Judge from 2004-2006. He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association and Fourth Judicial District Court Bar Association and past member of the Louisiana District Judges Association and Louisiana District Judges Association Executive Committee. Justice Clark was a well-respected member of the 4th Judicial District Court and became a valued legal mentor to many of the newer
judges, assistant district attorneys and local attorneys. As district judge, he served on a number of committees and boards designed to move the judicial system forward, including the New Judgeship Committee, Ad Hoc NCSC Study Committee, Criminal Judges Committee, Salary & Personnel Committee, Court Technology Committee and the Supreme Court Uniform Rules Committee. Clark enjoyed lecturing and was a repeat lecturer for the North Delta Police Training Academy, Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, Louisiana District Attorney’s Association, and Louisiana District Judges Association.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends and boating on Lake Lanier near Gainesville, Georgia.He is survived by his beloved wife Allyson AyersClark, his daughter Nicole Clark Smith (Chase), and son Cooper Charles Clark. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Addie and Patrick Smith, his brother Kenneth Streater (Carmel), sisters Karen Clark McManus (Jim), Phyllis Clark Granger (Mike), numerous nephews and nieces, and Patsy Ayers, his mother-in-law. Marcus was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gary Clark, and niece, Lynne Streater Ward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Justice Marcus R. Clark First Generation Endowed Scholarship at ULM, the Marcus R. Clark Scholarship Fund at Sulphur High School, or the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.