Johnston, SC An Interment Service for Mr. John Owen Clark, Jr., age 77, will be held Thursday,

February 18 at 2:30 pm at the Mount of Olives Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at

3 pm at Johnston Presbyterian Church, 700 Mims Ave. Johnston, SC 29832, led by Pastor Paul Volpitto. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 17, between 5 pm and 7 pm at Bland Funeral Home, 384 Lee St, Johnston, SC 29832.

John Owen Clark, Jr., a lifelong resident of Johnston, died on February 16, 2016 at the home of his sister. He was born May 11, 1938, to Bessie Bean and John Owen Clark. Owen was a graduate of Johnston High School, the University of South Carolina with a B.A. Degree in English, and the University of Pennsylvania with an M.A. Degree in English. He was a devoted family member and was considered the family and local historian. Over the years, he supported many church congregations, most recently as a member of Arsenal Hill Presbyterian Church, but also including Johnston United Methodist Church, Spann United Methodist Church, and Johnston Presbyterian Church. He was an active member of the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society and the Saluda County Historical Society. Owen was regarded as a scholar and enthusiast of history, art, music, literature, and architecture.

Owen served as an Instructional Systems Specialist at Fort Gordon, Georgia for thirty years until his retirement. He also taught English at Aiken Technical College. He was a founding member of Ridge Heritage Association and was author of many articles on local history and families for county publications. “Focus on the Ridge” was a series of articles in Quill magazine, as were “Edgefield People” and “Our Buildings” in Edgefield Advertiser. His book Our Buildings is a compilation of the articles in the Advertiser.

Owen is survived by his sister, Robin Clark Nicholson, and her husband, George, of Springdale, SC; nephews, George S. Nicholson, III and his wife, Jennifer, and John “Jay” Clark Nicholson, and his wife, Nikki, all of Lexington; great-nephews and great-nieces, Grant Owen, Blythe Coit, Elizabeth Noel, Amanda Clark, and John “Jack” Adam Nicholson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or charity of your choice.
Please sign guestbook and send condolences to family at www.blandfh.com