Obituary for Stephen Glenn Clark
Stephen Glenn Clark passed away on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at his home in Cashiers, NC following a brief illness.
We are all sad to announce the passing of Stephen Glenn Clark of Cashiers, North Carolina at the young age of 53 after battling brain cancer. He was born on August 9, 1970, in Orlando, Florida. He was adopted shortly thereafter by Betty (Clark) Whisman and Herman Clark.
Stephen had always been an active person. In his younger years, he was a member of little league baseball, additionally enjoying much of his time skateboarding, surfing, playing tennis, and running—to name a few of the many athletic arenas in which he excelled. Although football was never a sport in which he personally dabbled, he adopted the Pittsburgh Steelers as his team. His childhood bedroom was full of Steelers memorabilia: while the merchandise lessened with time, his love for the team did not. He also loved to cook, and was an excellent chef, known for his crepes and pancakes.
Stephen graduated from Edgewater High School in 1988. He was quite the popular guy. He attended all the school’s proms and was crowned Homecoming King by his peers. He was incredibly studious and wildly intelligent—both academically and emotionally. Consequently, he was frequently sought out by his friends for advice and support.
He moved to Highlands in 2001. A lucky chance meeting with Linda and Tommy Clark led to his new career at Buck’s Coffee Cafe in Highlands, NC, where he quickly became known as the best barista in town. His eldest daughter, Lydia, would later note that whenever he was absent from his scheduled days, regular customers would instinctually ask “is your dad working today?”
It was at this coincidental place of employment that he met his now ex-wife, Stacey M. Clark with whom he had his three children; Lydia Sage Clark (21), W. Alexander Clark (20) and India Jade Clark (18).
As an avid tennis player, he joined the Highlands group during his time at Buck’s, playing tennis as often as he could on days off. He made a conscious effort to keep his mind and body active, the importance of which he instilled with vigor into his aforementioned children.
During these years at the Highlands coffee shop, Steve worked hard in his managerial, athletic, and paternal duties.
Throughout this time, his passion for art, music, cooking, and philosophy remained second only to his involvement with his children. Frequently working with these investments tangentially, Steve made sure to cook Thanksgiving meals for his children each year, and often enjoyed spending time with them watching the Food Network. With Lydia, his oldest, he maintained a constant presence during her gymnastics, as well as advocating for her academic successes. Ultimately, he ushered her along the road to her acceptance into a pre-law major at the University of Southern California through his demonstrations of determination, and his “never back down” attitude. Steve was always visible in his support for his youngest daughter, India as she established herself as a force in volleyball. Making himself known across the spectrum of sports crowds he was in, everyone watching India’s games was more than aware of Steve’s presence and his pride for his daughter. One of his greatest pleasures was the relationship he fostered with his son, Alex, as they shared common interests in cinema and music. Friends and family of Steve’s would undoubtedly understand Alex as the funniest character in his life—ultimately his greatest source of motivation and support.
Many people wondered if he was the son of Tommy and Linda Clark, given the bond the three shared while they created and grew the Buck’s Coffee brand. That was only part of the equation as they became “family” through mutual affection.
One of Steve’s greatest personal accomplishments was his running: he would often travel to participate in races throughout the South. Steve frequently competed in 5k’s, 10k’s and half marathons, creating detailed physical schedules to keep him on track to success in these arenas. Ultimately, his hard work coalesced in his accumulation of a variety of placement medals, with the pinnacle of his success coming from a 1 hour, 37 minute half marathon with a 7:24 minute-mile pace at “The Big Beach Marathon” in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Towards the end of his life, he grew more introspective, leaning into the philosophical realms for contemplation and using this newfound outlook to guide his continued fostering of familial relationships.
He had a short but well lived, well loved life.
Stephen was predeceased by his father, Herman Clark, stepmother Sara Clark, grandmother, Nellie Clark and stepbrother, Greg Whisman.
Stephen is survived by his children, Lydia Sage Clark, W. Alexender Clark and India Jade Clark and the mother of his children Stacey Clark. Stephen is also survived by his mother, Betty (Clark) Whisman, his stepfather, Jim Whisman, his sister, Lori (Bill) Shindel, stepbrother Steve (Tami) Whisman, stepsister, Sue Ann Munnell and many more loving aunts, uncles, and relatives.
A celebration of life to be held at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, NC—Wednesday, May 8: 2:00 visitation, 3:00 service and a gathering at Buck’s in Cashiers will be held from 5:30-7:30.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
We are all sad to announce the passing of Stephen Glenn Clark of Cashiers, North Carolina at the young age of 53 after battling brain cancer. He was born on August 9, 1970, in Orlando, Florida. He was adopted shortly thereafter by Betty (Clark) Whisman and Herman Clark.
Stephen had always been an active person. In his younger years, he was a member of little league baseball, additionally enjoying much of his time skateboarding, surfing, playing tennis, and running—to name a few of the many athletic arenas in which he excelled. Although football was never a sport in which he personally dabbled, he adopted the Pittsburgh Steelers as his team. His childhood bedroom was full of Steelers memorabilia: while the merchandise lessened with time, his love for the team did not. He also loved to cook, and was an excellent chef, known for his crepes and pancakes.
Stephen graduated from Edgewater High School in 1988. He was quite the popular guy. He attended all the school’s proms and was crowned Homecoming King by his peers. He was incredibly studious and wildly intelligent—both academically and emotionally. Consequently, he was frequently sought out by his friends for advice and support.
He moved to Highlands in 2001. A lucky chance meeting with Linda and Tommy Clark led to his new career at Buck’s Coffee Cafe in Highlands, NC, where he quickly became known as the best barista in town. His eldest daughter, Lydia, would later note that whenever he was absent from his scheduled days, regular customers would instinctually ask “is your dad working today?”
It was at this coincidental place of employment that he met his now ex-wife, Stacey M. Clark with whom he had his three children; Lydia Sage Clark (21), W. Alexander Clark (20) and India Jade Clark (18).
As an avid tennis player, he joined the Highlands group during his time at Buck’s, playing tennis as often as he could on days off. He made a conscious effort to keep his mind and body active, the importance of which he instilled with vigor into his aforementioned children.
During these years at the Highlands coffee shop, Steve worked hard in his managerial, athletic, and paternal duties.
Throughout this time, his passion for art, music, cooking, and philosophy remained second only to his involvement with his children. Frequently working with these investments tangentially, Steve made sure to cook Thanksgiving meals for his children each year, and often enjoyed spending time with them watching the Food Network. With Lydia, his oldest, he maintained a constant presence during her gymnastics, as well as advocating for her academic successes. Ultimately, he ushered her along the road to her acceptance into a pre-law major at the University of Southern California through his demonstrations of determination, and his “never back down” attitude. Steve was always visible in his support for his youngest daughter, India as she established herself as a force in volleyball. Making himself known across the spectrum of sports crowds he was in, everyone watching India’s games was more than aware of Steve’s presence and his pride for his daughter. One of his greatest pleasures was the relationship he fostered with his son, Alex, as they shared common interests in cinema and music. Friends and family of Steve’s would undoubtedly understand Alex as the funniest character in his life—ultimately his greatest source of motivation and support.
Many people wondered if he was the son of Tommy and Linda Clark, given the bond the three shared while they created and grew the Buck’s Coffee brand. That was only part of the equation as they became “family” through mutual affection.
One of Steve’s greatest personal accomplishments was his running: he would often travel to participate in races throughout the South. Steve frequently competed in 5k’s, 10k’s and half marathons, creating detailed physical schedules to keep him on track to success in these arenas. Ultimately, his hard work coalesced in his accumulation of a variety of placement medals, with the pinnacle of his success coming from a 1 hour, 37 minute half marathon with a 7:24 minute-mile pace at “The Big Beach Marathon” in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Towards the end of his life, he grew more introspective, leaning into the philosophical realms for contemplation and using this newfound outlook to guide his continued fostering of familial relationships.
He had a short but well lived, well loved life.
Stephen was predeceased by his father, Herman Clark, stepmother Sara Clark, grandmother, Nellie Clark and stepbrother, Greg Whisman.
Stephen is survived by his children, Lydia Sage Clark, W. Alexender Clark and India Jade Clark and the mother of his children Stacey Clark. Stephen is also survived by his mother, Betty (Clark) Whisman, his stepfather, Jim Whisman, his sister, Lori (Bill) Shindel, stepbrother Steve (Tami) Whisman, stepsister, Sue Ann Munnell and many more loving aunts, uncles, and relatives.
A celebration of life to be held at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, NC—Wednesday, May 8: 2:00 visitation, 3:00 service and a gathering at Buck’s in Cashiers will be held from 5:30-7:30.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.