In Loving Memory
Samuel T. Clark
Sam Clark was born June 22, 1948, in Dallas, Georgia. Sam lived in Paulding County his entire life, graduating from Hiram High in 1967. While at Hiram High he played multiple sports; serving as team captain of the basketball team his senior year. He also served as a class officer all four years and was a member of multiple clubs. After graduation, Sam attended Mackenzie College in Chattanooga TN where he graduated with a Business degree. Sam went on to serve two years in the United States Army; also rising to a leadership role in Combat Support and Infantry Training.
In 1975 Sam returned to Paulding County and started working for the railroad. In addition to working 12-hour night shifts at the railroad, Sam could be found working afternoons and weekends at Martin Funeral Home in Dallas for Hubert Martin. Sam’s grandmother passed away when he was 15 years old and from then on he could be found helping out at Martins during any free time he had from other responsibilities.
Sam retired from the railroad in 1985 so that he could realize one of his dreams to own and operate an ambulance company. Clark Ambulance opened in 1985 and remained in business until 2015. In addition to running a 24/7ambulance business, Sam was elected coroner of Paulding County in 1992 and served until 2016, additionally, he built and opened Sam Clark Funeral Home in 1997 where he served and comforted families every day until his death on May 21, 2023.
Sam was a vibrant, caring, and loving person. He was the same every day of the week, always smiling, always helping. He had a way to make even the worst day of someone’s life more bearable. He served Paulding County and thousands of its citizens (his friends ..every single person) in multiple capacities for over 30 years. Serving others was Sam’s hearts desire and life’s work.
On September 12, 2023, Leslie Clark established the Samuel T. Clark Memorial Endowed Scholarship for EMT/AEMT and Paramedicine Students at Chattahoochee Tech.
The Samuel T. Clark Memorial Endowed Scholarship was created by Leslie Clark in memory of her late husband, who passed away on May 21, 2023.
“This was my way to continue Sam’s legacy of helping others,” said Leslie. “His whole life was service to his neighbors. His care and concern for his community will be missed.” A U.S. Army veteran and lifelong resident of Paulding County, Sam Clark built Clark Funeral Home & Chapel in 1997 and also served for 24 years as Coroner of Paulding County. In 1985, he started Clark Ambulance Service in Paulding County and ran it for 30 years.
The first Samuel T. Clark Memorial Endowed Scholarship will be awarded this spring to a Chattahoochee Tech student who is currently enrolled in either the EMT/AMET or paramedicine program. The scholarship recipient must meet specific GPA requirements and preference will be given to a Paulding County resident. “Having EMTs and paramedics in the community is so important,” said Leslie. “Sam saw an increased need for them as Paulding County was growing.” The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation will administer the Samuel T. Clark Memorial Scholarship on behalf of the college. As an endowed scholarship, it is the gift that keeps giving because invested proceeds will be available to fund scholarships for years to come. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation supports the mission of Chattahoochee Tech by making education an affordable reality for students.
“Sam really wanted to support the people of Paulding County in all ways,” said Leslie. “He loved Paulding County and Paulding County residents,” said Leslie. “He made Paulding County better.” For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.
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