Funky Flamingo Owners Die Within Months

By Abby Baker

In a span of two months, both of the owners of the Funky Flamingo in Gulfport – married couple Christopher Clark, 33 and Thomas Goodall, 36 – have passed away. Goodall died on Thursday, February 25 and Clark followed Wednesday, April 7. The suspected cause of death for both is cytomegalovirus.

“I think the community should know,” Clark’s mother, and Funky Flamingo co-owner, Anita Mc- Laughlin said. “I don’t know for a fact Thomas had it, but their deaths were very similar.”

Many of Clark and Goodall’s friends, family and other members of the community came out for a benefit on Sunday, April 11 to aid with the funeral costs and help keep the shop afloat.

“It was phenomenal; a lot, lot of love,” McLaughlin said. “It’s been such a whirlwind, but I was surprised at the outcome on Sunday.”

While the benefit chipped away at the expenses, McLaughlin is still alone in a recently expanded store. She is left with the funeral payments and the shop, a dream that was always the couple’s vision.

The two met eight years ago at a bar in St. Petersburg and were inseparable ever since.

“The shop was always their future, and they were really looking forward to it,” McLaughlin said. “They loved Gulfport.”

Donate at gofundme.com/f/ please-help-our-dear-friend-christopher-clark/donate.

"Chris was the love of my life, he loved people and he really loved Tommy," Chris' mother, Anita McLaughlin said. "You could see how bad he hurt when he lost him."

Anita McLaughlin

"They were a fun couple, devoted and so involved with the community," McLaughlin said.

Anita McLaughlin

"They were just absolute soulmates," said Clark's close friend David Perkins.

Anita McLaughlin