Paul Estes Clark

Elder Paul E Clark passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 7, 2019, at the age of 76, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where he was a long-time resident and returned upon retirement. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Haitian Crisis, Cuban Crisis and the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee. He was a pastor for the Seventh Day Adventist Church for over 45 years, serving in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. He and his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Rebecca Louise Mitchell Clark, traveled many places, including the Holy Lands and Canada. Leaving legacies near and far, he was known for building churches across the country, with his last big project the convention center in Hammond, Louisiana. His biggest passion and hobby was trains and railroads. It led to monumental accomplishments in the collection, and restoration of old trains and railroad memorabilia, helping to establish railroad museums along the way. Pastor Paul, dearly loved bringing a smile to a child’s face by pulling a balloon out of his pocket and making balloon animals for them. Hence, through the joy of thousands of children, he was often referred to as the “Balloon Man”. Paul, a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, is survived by wife, Rebecca Louise Mitchell Clark, son Raymond Clark, daughter Paula Lajara (Phillip Riley), daughter Mary Deckard (Dean), son Mike Clark (Janna), and son in law Juan Lajara. Grandchildren, Jeremy Deckard, Jeffrey Lajara, Brandon Deckard (Alisha) and Jenny Lajara (Randall Coleman), and great grandchildren, Annika, Aubrynn and Xander. Brothers, Donald Clark (Bebe), Melvin Clark (Dianne) and Dudley Clark (Sue) and numerous relatives. He is preceded in death by parents, Danna and Ethel Clark and infant sister. PONCHATOULA, LA. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the chapel of Brandon G Thompson Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, on Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until services at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Mitchell Cemetery.

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Paul Estes Clark

February 1, 1942 - January 7, 2019