Clark, former head of Coke bottling, dies

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 7, 2006

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Otis Vernon &#8220O.V.” Clark of Daytona Beach, formerly of Bowling Green, Ky., died June 30, 2006, at his residence in Pelican Bay.

The Warren County, Ky., native was born Feb. 11, 1926. He was the retired president of Western Kentucky Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He graduated from College High in 1944 and attended Washington and Lee University from 1944-46. He returned to Bowling Green after the death of his father and attended Western Kentucky State Teachers College. He completed a bachelor of arts degree in 1948. Following his graduation, he became active with the Bowling Green Coca-Cola Bottling Works as secretary-treasurer. The board of directors elected him as president of the Coca-Cola Bottling Works in Bowling Green and Glasgow in April, 1951. Before retiring to Florida, he was active in the Bowling Green Rotary Club, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, War Memorial Boy’s Club, Bowling Green Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hobson House Association, The Landmark Association, The Pendennts Club and Bowling Green Country Club. He was a charter member of Western Players and Fountain Square Players and an avid supporter of arts and historical preservation. He was a lifetime member of the Kentucky Historical Society. He was initiated by the Kentucky Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on Oct. 2, 1985. He was confirmed by the Rev. Howard Surface Jr. on April 23, 1989, at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green. He was a son of the late Otis Vernon Clark Sr. and Susie Lee Robertson Clark.

Memorial service is at 11 a.m. July 22 at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. in the Surface Hall. The New Life Cremation and Funeral Chapel was in charge of the cremation.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Western Kentucky University, The O.V. Clark Theater Scholarship, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101; Historic Riverview at Hobson Grove, 1100 West Main Ave., Bowling Green, KY 42101; The Capitol Arts Center, 416 East Main St., Bowling Green, KY 42101; The Landmark Association, 912 1/2 State St., Bowling Green, KY 42101; or Christ Episcopal Church.

Survivors include cousins and many longtime friends.