Cheers To Charlie Clark

Story by Alan Dockery We have lost yet another brother to cancer. Charlie and Tonya Clark had big travel plans for the Sturgis 2020 event, but then Charlie was suddenly diagnosed with cancer only one month prior. He fought hard but lost his battle on October 23rd. Before the annual Halloween Party at Riders’ Roost Motorcycle Resort, Ferguson, NC, we gathered to celebrate the life of our fallen brother. Charlie’s beverage of choice was Budweiser, so it was our celebration drink of the day. Charlie was one of the longest partying folks in the group we call Roosters. He rode in as soon as the place opened to the public. I met him 24 years ago when I moved back to North Carolina. Over those years, we rode, camped and partied with the Hickory biker crowd many times. Aimee Murray lead the celebration of life with words of prayer and thanks for Charlie’s life, then offered an open floor for the rest of us to share both funny and heartwarming Charlie stories. He is the guy I tell about running over me with his motorcycle while I sat in a lawn chair when he did a burnout in the Hot Springs Campgrounds and the rear tire suddenly hooked up. We shared both laughter and tears as we were toasting Charlie. Just to look at him you knew Charlie was a tough man. Obviously hard working and skilled. He was the first to volunteer to help. I don’t recall ever seeing him actually throw a punch, but a few times I jumped up to join in when I thought he was about to fight someone. Charlie was quick to defend his friends. However, as tough as he was, if Charlie ever hurt you physically or emotionally, he would apologize for a while after. “I’ve known him for more than 25 years. Charlie was like a brother to me,” said Belinda Crane-Isenhower. “Though rough around the edges, he was passionately loyal to his close friends and family. He always had your back! Almost to a fault, because Charlie didn’t think twice about pulling put his knife or gun to defend one’s honor.” Jim Minnix ended his Charlie story by asking Tonya how she put up with him for so many years. Yes, his wife is a pretty, sweet, quiet woman and it was so good to see her there smiling with us. She retorted by saying with a big smile that Charlie was a real handsome hunk of a guy when she first met him. “I don’t know how to put anything into words now, but he truly loved his family and friends,” Tonya said. “Charlie loved life and lived like it was his last day. He was proud of his accomplishments in his job and life. He was proud of his children and so very proud of his four grandchildren. We had lots of things we wanted to do so I’m going to do them for us and make him proud.” Tonya ended by saying “To Charlie’s friends, remember the good times and keep his memories alive forever. I will miss him every day. Thirty one years with Charlie was just not long enough.” I know his spirit will be with us on the creek for years to come. I’ll think about him the next time I sip a Budweiser by the campfire. Cheers to Charlie!