| Robert Joe Clark |
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 ROBERT JOE CLARK, 84, was born in Houston, Texas on May 26, 1917, and passed away March 7, 2002. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1936 and became a member of Houston's first police academy in 1939. A second generation Houston Police Officer, Joe, as his co-workers affectionately knew him, worked in radio patrol, accident investigation, homicide, robbery, juvenile, vice and narcotics. He began his police career on downtown foot patrol, attained the rank of Detective in 1943, Lieutenant in 1945, Captain in 1953 and Inspector in 1956. A no nonsense career officer with strong moral values, Joe was highly respected by the rank and file police officers and other law enforcement agents. He served the City of Houston proudly for almost 40 years, attaining the rank of "Acting" Chief of Police in 1975 and retired as Deputy Chief in 1979. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothy Clark, sister, Dorothy Crawford, and brother, Terrence. His loving and devoted wife of over 61 years, Lottie Thurston, sons Robert, Jerry, Brian, daughter Judith Smith and husband Mark Mangum, daughters in law Patricia, Diane and Cyndi Clark, brother Gilbert, his wife Virginia and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins survive him. "Grandpa" is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren, and four great grandchildren: Cynthia and husband Joe Daues, their children Mitchell and Shelby, Phyllis and husband John Kauffman, their children Jonathan and Clark, Lisa and her husband Carlos Martinez, Robyn, Krystina, Rose, Katie, Robert, Kirsten Clark, Jessica and her husband Sterling Allen, Jaclyn Clark, Leslie and Lindsay Smith. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers' are George Hogan and R. J. Poehl. The family will receive friends at Earthmans, Hunter Creek, 8303 Katy Freeway, 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. with a vigil service at 7 P.M. Sunday, March 10, 2002. Funeral Mass, Monday, March 11, 10:00 A.M. at St. Theresa Catholic Church 6622 Haskell. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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