Forrest Preston Clark III

Forrest Preston Clark III, 73, of Jacksonville, Florida, died February 10, 2019, after a lengthy illness. Forrest is survived by his mother Gertrude Clark, brother and sister-in-law Robert Clark and Janice Niemann-Clark, daughter and son-in-law Alyssa Clark and Gregg Bernstein, grandsons Britton Clark Bernstein and Nolan Clark Bernstein, and Alyssa’s mother Patricia McCarty Hawkins.

Forrest was born to Forrest Preston Clark II and Gertrude Rasmussen Clark on May 1, 1945 in Davenport, Iowa. He spent most of his early and middle childhood in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was close to his paternal grandparents and had many fond memories of walking in the Appalachian Mountains with his grandfather. The Clark family later moved to Orlando, Florida, where he graduated from Colonial High School in 1963. In 1967, Forrest received a BA from the University of Florida.

During his adult life, Forrest moved several times and resided in Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He had a successful career in retail and sales for many years and had dreams of returning to school to become a psychologist. He was most at home on a beach, boating, or behind the wheel of a sports car. Forrest also enjoyed intellectual and creative pursuits, including writing poetry and prose.

Forrest was capable of intense love, winning charm, and witty humor. However, he struggled with depression, identity issues, and substance dependence for much of his adult life. Despite his ups and downs in married, family, and professional life, he always strived to be a loving father to his daughter Alyssa. Forrest began to suffer severe dementia in his 50s, and he spent the last years of his life at The Terrace of Jacksonville. Fortunately, his good humor and confidence persisted through dementia and, in his mind, he continued to have fantastic adventures. Forrest believes he spent the last years of his life enjoying parties on his yacht, having passionate romances, and bestowing elaborate gifts on his loved ones.

Forrest is dearly missed by his family. He leaves behind a legacy of two beautiful grandsons who share his keen intelligence and sweet spirit. The family is having a private service to honor his life at a later date. The family thanks all the caregivers at The Terrace of Jacksonville for their care of Forrest during his final years.