Roy Landen Clark, 80, of Ellijay, passed away on July 15, 2017, at Piedmont Hospital in Jasper after a brief illness. He was born on October 25, 1936, in Fannin County, GA, to the late W.E. “Emory” Clark and Della Garland Clark. He was married to Debra (Reece) Clark and had one daughter, Lori Auten, and granddaughter, Alston Waldrip. Roy loved the outdoors, especially the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Grand Tetons, and enjoyed spending time driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and being down at “the cabin” on the Cartecay River. His cabin holds a collection of memorabilia he carefully gathered over many years, and he had a story about almost every item. Roy loved his family and friends and liked nothing more than to sit on the porch, enjoy the view of the mountains, and visit. As a business owner, Roy had a reputation as a skilled backhoe operator who could do precision work in all types of environments and conditions. He is preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Earl Clark, Al Clark, and Ernest Clark; his mother-in-law, Agnes Reece Ballew; and his brothers-in-law, Ricky Reece and Billy Teague. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debra Clark; his daughter, Lori (Greg) Auten, of Columbus, GA; his granddaughter, Alston Waldrip, of Gainesville, GA; brother, Carl (Earnestine) Clark, of Ellijay; sister, Wylene (Clyde) Mullinax, of Ellijay; his sister-in-law, Linda Reece Teague, of Ellijay; his nephew and buddy, Phil Clark, of Ellijay; and many other nieces and nephews.

At Roy’s request, his ashes will be scattered in a private service at his cabin where he spent so many good times with family and friends. A visitation and celebration of Roy’s life will be held with family and friends on Sunday, July 23, 2017, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, at Bernhardt Funeral Home in Ellijay.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements