Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Marcus R. Clark passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in Gainesville, Georgia. He was 68 years old.
Justice Clark was elected as an Associate Justice to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 2009 to the Fourth Supreme Court District, filling the unexpired term of former Justice Chet D. Traylor. He was re-elected to a full 10-year term in 2016 after running unopposed and retired from the court in June 2020. During his tenure, he served on several boards and committees including as Chairman of the Judicial Budgetary Control Board and as a member of the Internal Audit Committee and Human Resources Committee. He also served as the Supreme Court’s liaison to the Louisiana District Judges Association and was a member of the Sheriff’s Executive Management Institute Board.
“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," said Justice Jay McCallum, who succeeded Justice Clark in 2020 as Associate Justice for the Fourth Supreme Court District.
United States Federal Judge Greg Guidry commented, “I have known Marcus Clark for well over 40 years... Marcus never changed from the first day I met him until his final moment. He sought justice in every decision he made.”
“I am saddened by the passing of Justice Marcus Clark,” said Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “He was humble, easily approachable, kind, respectful, and dedicated and diligent... As a Justice he was balanced and fair and impartial.”
A native of Sulphur, Louisiana, Clark was born February 24, 1956. After graduating from Sulphur High School in 1974, he enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana at Monroe) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice in 1978. Following a brief career in law enforcement, he attended law school at LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center and graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1985.
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 there, he served as judge for the newly established Drug Court from 2000-2001 and as Chief Judge from 2004-2006.
Following his retirement from active judicial duties, Clark enjoyed spending time with family and friends boating on Lake Lanier near Gainesville.
Justice Clark is survived by his wife Allyson Ayers Clark; daughter Nicole Clark Smith (Chase); son Cooper Charles Clark; two grandchildren Addie and Patrick Smith; brother Kenneth Streater (Carmel); sisters Karen Clark McManus (Jim) and Phyllis Clark Granger (Mike); numerous nephews and nieces; mother-in-law Patsy Ayers; among others.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to various scholarship funds including those at ULM or Sulphur High School or to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.
For more information visit lasc.org or contact Public Information Specialist/Coordinator Trina S. Vincent at tvincent@lasc.org or (504) 310-2590.