Justice Marcus R. Clark

The Honorable Justice Marcus R. Clark, retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Gainesville, Georgia. He was 68 years old.

A Celebration of Life Service for Justice Clark will be held October 15, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities, 1255 Glenwood Drive, West Monroe, Louisiana with Pastor Mark Foster officiating. A graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, 1205-1355 Evangeline Highway, Jennings, Louisiana.

Marcus was born February 24, 1956, in Sulphur, Louisiana and was the son of the late Hilda and Gerald Clark. Growing up, he worked in the family's washeteria and was active in the Boy Scouts of America.

He went on to earn his Eagle Scout ranking and set his sights on becoming a police officer. After graduating from Sulphur High School in 1974, Marcus enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he participated in Student Government and other campus activities. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Forty years later in 2014, Justice Clark was the invited speaker for ULM's Fall Commencement Ceremony.

Monroe, Louisiana quickly became his second home, and he pursued his dream of law enforcement by becoming a deputy sheriff with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Department. Marcus became very good at solving cases and was soon promoted to Detective. As a law enforcement officer, Marcus learned about the court system and the many different aspects of the law. He made the decision to pursue a law degree at LSU, and in 1985 he graduated with his Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He returned to Monroe and joined the Ouachita Parish District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. In 1990 he was promoted to Chief Felony Drug Prosecutor where he assisted law enforcement with many high-profile drug prosecution cases. His expertise led him to help co-author the Louisiana's Drug Asset Forfeiture Law and co-author the National TOP Gun Seminar for law enforcement.

Justice Clark began his judicial career in 1997 when he won an open District Judge seat in the 4th Judicial District after defeating seven other candidates. During his tenure, he served as the judge for the newly established Drug Court from 2000-2001. He also served as Chief Judge from 2004-2006. He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association and Fourth Judicial District Court Bar Association and past member of the Louisiana District Judges Association and Louisiana District Judges Association Executive Committee.

Justice Clark was a well-respected member of the 4th Judicial District Court and became a valued legal mentor to many of the newer judges, assistant district attorneys and local attorneys. As district judge, he served on a number of committees and boards designed to move the judicial system forward, including the New Judgeship Committee, Ad Hoc NCSC Study Committee, Criminal Judges Committee, Salary & Personnel Committee, Court Technology Committee and the Supreme Court Uniform Rules Committee. Justice Clark enjoyed lecturing and was a repeat lecturer for the North Delta Police Training Academy, Louisiana Sheriff's Association, Louisiana District Attorney's Association, and District Judges Association.

In 2009, Justice Clark was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court to represent the 4th Judicial District by filling the unexpired term of Justice Chet Traylor. He was re-elected to a full 10-year term in 2016 after running unopposed. He served on several boards and committees including as Chairman of the Budgetary Control Board, and as a member of the Sheriff's Executive Management Institute Board, the Internal Audit Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and was the Supreme Court's liaison to the Louisiana District Judges' Association. Justice Clark retired from the Louisiana Supreme Court in June 2020 and gave much credit to his excellent staff in New Orleans and Monroe for their dedication and help during his tenure.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends and boating on Lake Lanier near Gainesville.

Justice Clark is survived by his beloved wife Allyson Clark, his daughter, Nicole Clark Smith (Chase) and son Cooper Charles Clark. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Addie and Patrick Smith, his brother Kenneth Streater (Carmel), sisters Karen Clark McManus (Jim) and Phyllis Clark Granger (Mike), numerous nephews and nieces, and Patsy Ayers, his mother-in-law. Marcus was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gary Clark and niece Lynne Streater.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Justice Marcus R. Clark First Generation Endowed Scholarship at the University of Louisiana Monroe Foundation, 700 University Ave. Monroe, LA 71209; the Marcus R. Clark Scholarship Fund at Sulphur High School at 100 Sycamore Street • Sulphur, LA 70663; or the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, 7200 Desiard St., Monroe, LA 71203.