Retired state supreme court justice dies at 68
Marcus R. Clark has died at the age of 68-years-old.
For those unfamiliar with Clark, he used to be an Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court. Politically speaking, he was a Republican.
Clark's obituary states that he passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Gainesville, Georgia.
It, in part, states:
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.
Marcus Clark the justice
While Clark graduated from Louisiana State University's law program in 1985, he did not become a judge until 1997.
The local outlet 7 KPLC reports:
Justice Clark began his judicial career in 1997 when he won an open District Judge seat in the 4th Judicial District. 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.
It was not for another decade that Clark made it on to the state's top court.
The outlet continues," In 2009, Justice Clark was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court to represent the 4th Judicial District."
Clark remained on the Louisiana State Supreme Court until he retired in 2020.
"He exemplified the highest ideals of a judge"
Among those to offer a tribute to Clark was his replacement on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Justice Jay McCallum.
"Justice Clark was a friend and mentor. He serves as an exemplar of judicial service because he exemplified the highest ideals of a judge: legal ability and integrity," McCallum wrote.
He added, "Although he reached the highest point of judicial service by serving as an Associate Justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court, he always remained humble and approachable. He was always available to give wise counsel whenever his assistance was sought. I am grateful for his friendship and support."
Outside of the courtroom, Clark was a family man.
Clark's obituary states:
[He] 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.