Clark Everett Kessel

Clark was born in Kew Gardens, New York. He moved to Florida in the 1960's and lived in the Tampa Bay area until retiring in 1998. Then he became a "half-back" when he moved to the mountains of North Carolina.

Clark is survived by his mother, Florence Woodward of Wesley Chapel, Florida, his daughter Robin Finora and husband Douglas of San Antonio, Florida, his step-daughter Jolie Calus and husband Jimmy of Tampa, Florida, and his step-son Samuel Jones of Dunedin, Florida. Clark had seven grandchildren: Jarrod and Clayton Finora, Ryan Calus, Skylar Ritchie, Amanda Jones and Briget Davis and two great grandchildren: Sophia and Donnie.

Clark was preceded in death by his father, Everett Kessel and his wife Nancy Kessel.

After graduating from St. Petersburg High School, Clark attended Florida State University and Sam Houston State University. While attending FSU, he was active in the Navy ROTC and went on to serve four years of active duty in the Navy and earned the National Defense Service Medal. Clark worked for the State of Florida for 31 years in various programs and retired in 1998. After he retired he and his wife Nancy moved to North Carolina. He stayed just as busy in retirement, starting a second career as a real estate agent, serving as a volunteer firefighter and was an active member of both the Lion's Club and Fairfield Mountains Chapel.

Some of Clark's favorite activities were to cheer on the Florida State Seminoles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You could frequently find him driving his garnet and gold golf cart on the golf course or on his boat with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling, especially cruising to different ports in Europe and in the Caribbean.

A graveside memorial service for Clark will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 9854 - Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 2853 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759. Following the graveside memorial service will be a celebration of life gathering from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 SUNSET POINT RD, CLEARWATER, FL 33759.

In lieu of flowers we would encourage others to continue our Dad's spirit of giving by donating to The MSA Coalition (https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/) or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the Kessel family.