Frederick Douglas Clark, age 84, left us on November 5, 2022, at 12:15 pm. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family during the last days of his life.

Fred was born in Glade Spring, Virginia, on March 30, 1938. He was the third of nine children born to Edgar Clark and Ruth Cansler-Clark. The family moved to Roanoke in 1944, and Fred became a student in the first grade. He was also affectionately called Doug by his family. An all-star sportsman, Fred was outstanding in track, basketball, and baseball. He graduated from Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke, Virginia.

Traveling, exploring, and adventure are synonymous with Fred Douglas. His first adventure began when he moved from Roanoke, Virginia, to Mt. Vernon, New York. He was well-rounded and had excellent skills in auto body repairs and auto mechanics.  He became a manager for The Mayflower Auto Body Repairs Company in New Rochelle, NY.

One fascinating person Fred met while living in Mt. Vernon was Sidney Poitier, the Academy Award Winner who commissioned Fred to work on his vehicles. He moonlighted as a taxi driver and loved the hustle and bustle of city life; maneuvering through traffic and meeting new and interesting people each day sparked his love for adventure and travel. Fred was his brother's keeper; he was very generous and always willing to help someone if they needed it. Fred's brother Sonny would visit from the military from time to time to see his girlfriend, who lived in Brooklyn. The funny thing about having a little brother is that they don't listen. Brother Fred told Sonny not to go to Brooklyn, but Sonny didn't listen. So, he took Big Fred's brand-new white Chevy on a ride that he remembers to this day. Unfortunately, Sonny got into an accident that day, and most people would have been livid, but not Brother Fred he just ensured his younger brother was okay. He was his brother's keeper. Fred was a very generous person. He was always willing to help someone if they needed it.

Fred's next adventure took him to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he worked as a mechanic for the International Trucking Company. The knowledge he obtained from the trucking company gave him the expertise to establish a career as a Fleet Maintenance Supervisor of the Motor Division at Downstate Correctional Facility.

While renting an apartment from the West family (Clifford and Mary), he met a charismatic woman named Marva Parker. At the time, she was dating the famous boxer Buster Mathis Jr., but I guess Big Fred had the knockout punch. After a short courtship consisting of long drives and tall ice cream cones according to Marva's height. Fred asked Marva's father for her hand in marriage within a month of meeting her. After her father's blessing, they were married two months later, on January 20, 1968. (Thirty-four years later, they would share their anniversary date with their grandson, Malachi Clark, who was born in 2002.)

Fred wanted to share his love for exploring and traveling with Marva. So, they began their month-long honeymoon from the East Coast to West Coast to their final destination of Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico. Every moment spent on their honeymoon was an appreciation of the beauty and intrigue they experienced in a new land and culture created by God.

Fred was always interested in architecture and building structures that extended from his time in the city and travels. Fred pursued a major in Industrial Arts at Dutchess Community College and City College. He was very creative, and his artwork is displayed throughout their home. Fred was curious and had a thirst for knowledge. Fred developed an extensive library of books and artifacts from his adventures and places he traveled. With love for books, they allowed him to quench that thirst when he could not travel. His passion for reading helped him become a great storyteller. He had a unique way of captivating and holding your attention through his stories.

His walk with Jesus was the most important among Fred's travels and explorations. First, Fred accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized by Paul Jones in Reedville, Va. Then, he and his family found a church home at the Church of Christ in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Throughout Fred's life, the spark for traveling would manifest into an intense flame sending him all over North America. From the snow-capped mountains to beach hopping from some of the world's most iconic cities to some of its most incredible landscapes known to man. From the east coast to the west, one thing is sure: there is absolutely no shortage of incredibly beautiful places that Fred did not visit. He was known for his traveling spontaneity; at any minute, he would invite you to travel with him in a 15-passenger van filled with laughter, happiness, and endless adventure.

Rhythm and Blues Jazz filled the van by singing to the top of your lungs with Bill Withers, Johnny Taylor, Frankie Beverly & Maze, James Brown, and Chaka Khan. Later in his life, he traveled to places such as Nova Scotia, Canada, Saratoga, New York, Norfolk, Virginia, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation's "Afternoon of Jazz" to listen to live music at Jazz Festivals.

The last adventure Fred took was with his Grandson Malachi:

"Grandad and I went on a cross-country journey to Texas, along the way stopping to see friends of mine in Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and finally, Texas. One of the most memorable parts of the journey was when we drove up one of the tallest mountains in Oklahoma and could see hundreds of miles across. There was a period when we had driven for almost a whole day, so we decided to take a break and continue later. Grandad had asked the forest ranger if we could drive into the reserve and sleep for a couple of hours, so we pulled in and watched the sun rise over the land. It was a breathtaking view. We also visited a nature reserve and saw horses and bison, and they were walking extremely close to our car to cross the road. Shortly after that, we had Bison Burgers. Next, we visited a drained Dam so you could see exactly how the water had carved a path on the land for miles. Finally, on our way back, we drove through some of the heaviest Typhon-level storms I had ever seen. Scary stuff, but Grandad was a pro, kept his composure, and we safely made it home. This trip will always be in my memories for the fun I had and the time I shared with my Grandfather, for always wanting me to see something new and travel everywhere."

Fred had a heart of gold, a kind and generous man who was a father and role model to many.  He absolutely loved his entire family, and everyone loved him!

He leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years, Marva P. Clark; 4 children Frederick D. Clark II, Cynthia Cooper, Rodney Payton, and Jimmy Knox; 6 grandchildren, Malachi Clark, Machi Clark, Madison Clark, Rodney Louis Payton II, Tia Collins, Dwayne J Cooper, Davezia M. Cancer.

Fred was predeceased by siblings Patricia "Pat" Clark-Hunt, Elizabeth Colette" Bae Bae" Clark, Michael Clark, and Edgar Clark, Sr., He leaves behind his beloved siblings Robert "Bobby" Clark, Angela Byantha Clark-Pendleton, Orville "Sonny" Clark, Reba Clark, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services for Mr. Frederick Clark will be conducted Friday, November 18, 2022 at 11 am from Beulah Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie, New York. The family will receive friends from 10 am until the hour of service.

The care of Mr. Frederick Clark and his family are entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home, 43 Fairview Avenue Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845)-452-6143.