John R. Clark Jr., 81

HENLOPEN ACRES - John R. Clark Jr. of Henlopen Acres passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, in his home. He was 81.

Mr. Clark was born June 11, 1925, in Washington, son of the late John R. and Susan Dawson Giddings Clark.

He was a fourth generation Washingtonian, growing up in Bethesda, Md., and later on the family farm in White Oak, Md. White Oak Farm (the namesake of the exit on the Capital Beltway) was originally the home of his paternal great-grandfather, James Clark, a Scottish immigrant. James Clark was a botanist who helped found the National Botanical Gardens and traveled the world collecting samples of flora for the gardens. When White Oak Farm was sold, the state of Maryland transplanted many of the tree species to parks.

After graduating from Montgomery Blair High School, Mr. Clark served as an infantryman in the 94th Division of the U.S. 3rd Army in the Western Theatre during World War II. His primary role was as a scout in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany from August 1944 until the end of the war in Europe. At the end of the war, he helped transport freed prisoners of war during the Allied occupation and was in Czechoslovakia when the Russians took over the country. Mr. Clark received two Purple Hearts and two good conduct medals during his military service.

After the war, he attended George Washington University, and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and business administration.

Mr. Clark"s career in the chemical and aerospace industries spanned almost 30 years, during which he graduated from the advanced management program of Harvard Business School in 1968. He participated in many civic and professional associations, and served as president of the D.C. Council and national vice president of the Navy League from 1978 to 1982. In 1984, he retired as vice president of Bell Aerospace.

Shortly thereafter, he moved to the coast of Delaware and served on the Board of Managers of Henlopen Acres, overseeing the reconstruction of the water production and distribution system and the town hall.

Mr. Clark was an avid golfer, enjoying his membership at Burning Tree Club, Bethesda. He also enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, gardening, painting and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Claudia (Hutchison) Clark of Henlopen Acres; a daughter and a son-in-law, Cecelia and the Honorable David Melesco of Rocky Mount, Va.; a son and a daughter-in-law, John R. III and Mary (Boney) Clark of Bethesda; nine grandchildren; and a brother and a sister-in-law, William G. and Elizabeth Clark of Rehoboth Beach.

Services will be 3 p.m. Saturday in All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

Memorial services will be at a later date in the Washington, area.

Burial will be private in St. Mark"s Episcopal Church, Fairland, Md.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947; or Rehoboth Beach Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.