Michael Joseph Clark, 60, of Holiday, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on April 18, 2026. Born September 5, 1965, at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, FL. Michael lived a life filled with humor and adventure! At a young age,
Michael had a hard time paying attention in school. He was more interested in entertaining classmates with his jokes and antics. His father then enrolled him in Boy Scouts, which prepared him for his first career. After graduating from Osceola High School in Largo, FL, he enlisted in the US Marine Corp, although his father wanted him to serve in the Navy. He soon left for Paris Island, SC for basic training. Michael excelled in rifle marksmanship and later became a sharpshooter. He was promoted to train new recruits in rifle marksmanship. Michael’s only deployment was to Panama in Central America where he was assigned to a security position to safeguard and help maintain their legal rights and neutrality.
After Michael completed his tour of duty, he returned to Crystal Beach, FL and started a career in Auto Body. He was noted to have meticulous painting skills and an impressive work ethic. His supervisor presented him with a scholarship to attend professional auto body training. He graduated as an Automotive Refinish Technician and continued his career for over thirty years.
Michael balanced his career with his family. He often talked about his son, Christian, and how proud he was of him. He was especially excited when his son completed ROTC training. He treasured the time he spent going to family events and fishing. Michael enjoyed a life of home improvement tasks and working on his 1966 Nova SS and 1979 El Camino. He loved music, going to concerts, and karaoke. Favorite bands were U2, Journey, REM, KISS, ACDC, and Led Zeppellin. He was often caught dancing, and even TWERKING! He enjoyed hanging out with his friends at Brennans Irish Pub playing poker and dressing up for Halloween parties. Oh how Michael loved to eat ‘like a Viking’, big steaks, ribs, crab legs and fish. He was famous (at least to his family) for his recipes for Mexican corn and his Thanksgiving fried turkey. Those who spent significant time with him also understood his term “Miconomics” (he liked to save his money). Those who served alongside him in the military would say he was brave. He was very proud to serve his country!
Michael is surely making Heaven a bit louder and much brighter, keeping the angels entertained with his legendary rhymes of the ‘Michael Clark times’. Though he has moved to a new stage, his legacy of his faith in God, humor, quick wit, ingenuity, creativity, and intuitive kindness to find the good in people remains our guiding light. We will miss the laughter, but we’ll always remember his brave spirit until we reunite.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Allan F. Clark, Sr. and Carol M. Clark; and his brother, Allan F. Clark, Jr.
He is survived by his son, Christian M. Clark of Holiday FL; his brother, Adam P. Clark (Danielle Clark) of Saint Petersburg, FL; his sister, Theresa M. Boyd (Darrell Boyd) of Largo, FL; and his furry babies Sneaks and Corey the Story.
