Joseph Bertrand "Bert" Clark

Joseph Bertrand “Bert” Clark, 86, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2023 after a lengthy illness. A devoted husband and loving father, Bert will be remembered as a gentleman who loved spending time with family and friends, enjoyed the art of conversation, and was a lifelong reader, researcher and learner. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 28, 1936 to Catherine Barclift Clark and Joseph Bertrand Clark, Sr. When his mother remarried, Bert moved with her and his beloved stepfather, Raymond “Ray” Griffith Jenkins, to the Houston area following Ray’s military service in World War II. With his brothers, Raymond and William Jenkins, Bert attended school in the Galena Park neighborhood and church at Galena Park Methodist. He loved school, especially English, History, and Science, sports, his paper route, and being in his local Boy Scout troop. Bert graduated from Galena Park High School in 1954 and attended the University of Houston, graduating with a double major in History and Political Science. He married Jo Lynn Graham and had three children, Catherine Margaret Clark, Leslie Jean Clark, and Charles Stuart Clark.

Bert began his career as a stockbroker in 1963 with Rauscher, Pierce & Co. He went on to work for Paine Webber (now UBS) in Houston until his retirement in 2001. He thoroughly enjoyed the research aspect of his work and delighted in advising clients on investment matters.

Bert was married on June 23, 1967 to Linda Stafford Clark, beginning their wonderful love story and 48 years of happy marriage. Bert and Linda had one daughter, Kristen.

With Linda, he raised four children and numerous pets in a fun, loving household centered on a deep commitment to family, volunteerism and church. Bert poured into his family life, spending time at home, attending activities and sporting events including Indian Princesses, swim team meets, baseball games, and tennis matches. He served with Linda as PTA President of Memorial Middle School and again later, at Stratford High School. Bert served his community as a volunteer in local political campaigns and as a two-term President of the Stock and Bond Association of Houston. Bert was a lifelong Methodist and member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church.

On weekends, Bert could be found playing tennis, reading, hunting, fishing, golfing, watching horse racing or working in the yard with a special focus on his tomato plants. He was a prolific reader throughout his life with an interest in history, particularly biographies and Civil War battles. He loved traveling to Colorado with the family for fishing and hiking in the summers and skiing in the winters. As empty nesters, Linda and Bert made several trips to Europe as a couple and enjoyed trips to Germany and the Netherlands with friends.

Linda and Bert shared a love of music and dancing. They enjoyed attending dance cotillion events from 50s sock hops to more formal events, always gathering with friends for dinner proceeding the events. Bert volunteered for the Houston Symphony as a young professional and later enjoyed being affiliated with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society as a volunteer. Music of all types always filled their home, and they spent time together enjoying a wide range of musical events from opera and theater to country, pop and folk singers. Linda and Bert loved to entertain friends and family at home, and while Linda enjoyed cooking gourmet meals, Bert loved to select wines to pair with the meals.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Linda. He is survived by his children, Catherine Margaret Clark, Leslie Jean Clark and husband Dean Hunt, and Charles Stuart Clark and wife Jan, as well as daughter Kristen Clark Arnett and husband Michael. His grandchildren are Haley Elizabeth Clark, Evan Andrew Hunt and wife Kersten, Bryn McKenna Huntpalmer and husband Richard, Tarleton Quinn Li Qi Hunt, Collins Michael Arnett and MacLean Alexander Arnett and great-grandchildren Adelaide Elise Huntpalmer, Darwin Douglas Huntpalmer and Harvey Armstrong Huntpalmer. He is also survived by his brothers, Raymond Jenkins and Williams Jenkins.

The family wishes to thank Bert’s faithful caregivers, Janice Hoffman and her wonderful staff, and is forever indebted to Carlos Villegas and Holly Hulsey who provided diligent and compassionate care in the final months of Bert’s life.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in the chapel of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church at 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Alf Halvorson, Senior Pastor, is to officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Bert to CarePartners’ The Gathering Place which serves those with dementia (www.carepartnerstexas.org).