Covington County is mourning the loss of a long-time businessman, former board of education member, and veteran of the Korean conflict.

John Clark Jr., 86, of Andalusia passed away Wednesday at Andalusia Health.

Clark was the co-owner of Clark Trailer, a family-owned trailer manufacturing business, for more than 40 years.

He served on the Covington County Board of Education for more than 30 years, and was the long-time board president.

He was a Straughn graduate and attended Auburn University.

He retired from the Alabama National Guard and served in active duty during the Korean Conflict.

Current Covington County School Board President Jimmy Rodgers said that Clark was president of the board when he was elected.

“He was a lot of help to me with board policy and just as far as being a great mentor about how things should go,” Rodgers said. “I learned a lot working with him because he had a lot of wisdom. He was probably one of the wisest men that I knew. He did a lot for Covington County.”

Former board member Lynda Powell, who served along side Clark, said that she was sad to learn of his death.

“He was a man of great wisdom and integrity,” she said. “He was one of the finest men I have ever known. I looked to him as a mentor from the time I began serving on the board until my service and his were completed.”

Current Superintendent of Education Shannon Driver said he was a principal when Clark was a board member and his father, the late Ronnie Driver, was superintendent.

“He was a great board member and was president of the board for 20 years,” Driver said. “He helped see the system through some tough financial times with conservative, thoughtful leadership. He was a student of history, especially local history, and understood the vital role of education in the community. My dad said many times how smart he was and could always work out a solution to the problem. He was a true public servant.”

Funeral services for Clark will be held Saturday at 2 p.m., at Antioch Congregational Church. For complete obituary information, see Page 3.