Biography: Troy Lynn Clark, 66, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Vascular Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Troy was born in Harrison, AR on October 2, 1957, and grew up in Boxley Valley, in northwest Arkansas, enjoying daily childhood adventures, exploring area fields, forests, creeks and streams. He helped work the family farm and loved spending time with his mom, Tootsie, brother, Larry Wayne, grandparents, Troy and Dixie, and very close relationships with his extended family, including many aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in and around Boxley Valley. During his teen years, he loved riding his motorcycle up and down the winding dirt roads, swimming at Ponca, playing basketball, and floating the Buffalo River. He earned summer money hauling hay and helping at a local Arabian Horse farm, and graduated from Jasper High School in 1975.

Troy attended the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and then spent many years managing the Ozark Mountain Smokehouse at Bear Creek Springs, later becoming a regional supervisor for a series of White Oak stations. He spent the last 15 years of his career helping low income families as a case manager for Northwest Regional Housing Authority in Harrison, from which he retired in 2018.

Troy was a gifted musician, and spent most of his adult life playing keyboard and singing in classic rock cover bands, including one named ‘Compton’, which played regularly at the Marble Falls Bogart’s venue at Dogpatch in the ‘80s, as well as others throughout the years. Troy lovingly cared for his mom, Tootsie (whom he adored), until her death from cancer in 2010.
Troy and Robin Ashley dated briefly in high school and then parted ways, until they found each other again 40 years later. After several years of a sweet, long-distance courtship, in 2018, Troy retired, married Robin, and moved to Little Rock. Troy and Robin shared a love of music and enjoyed serving side by side (he on keyboard, she on vocals) as part of the worship team and helping with the food pantry at Healing Waters Outreach Center in Shannon Hills/Little Rock. During this time, Troy renewed his faith and grew strong in his relationship with Christ. He loved greeting friends with a smile and a big hug.

Troy was preceded in death by his mother, Helen ‘Tootsie’ Clark and father Harry ‘Wayne’ Clark. He is survived by his wife, Robin (Ashley) Howell Clark of Little Rock, AR and brother, Larry Wayne Clark (wife Rhonda) of Kingston, TN. Others include Troy’s very special uncle and aunt, Jimmy and Donna Fowler, one niece, Jennifer Ashley Peggram (husband Kent), one nephew, Patrick Wayne Clark (wife Elisa), six grand-nieces and nephews, as well as many special cousins. Troy loved and was loved by Robin's kids, Sydney, Micah, Noah and Elijah Howell, grand-kids, Tegan and Liam, and many other friends.

Troy was an incredibly kind, humble, compassionate, gifted, and gentle soul who was loved by many and he will be greatly missed, but we take comfort knowing he is now healed and in the presence of his heavenly Father and the many loved ones who were waiting to greet him. Worship in Heaven just got even better.

A celebration of Troy’s life will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, 2 pm at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. A celebration will also be held at Boxley Baptist Church on August 10, 2024, 11am, and his ashes will be laid to rest at the adjacent Walnut Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Healing Waters at https://www.lovehealingwaters.com/ or to Walnut Grove Cemetery Fund through Boxley Baptist Church, HC 70, Box 13, Ponca, AR 72670.
Further details and online guest book at RuebelFuneralHome.com