Donald Curtis Clark

Donald Curtis Clark lost his long battle with Cold Agglutinin Disease on January 3, 2026, succumbing at the age of 91 in Hammond, Louisiana. Don was born in 1934 to the late William Clark and Lorenza Smith Clark, growing up with his mother on his grandfather’s farm in Houston, Mississippi, exploring the fields and forests of the area and attending school in nearby Woodland, Ms. After moving to Memphis with his father who worked as a river pilot, Don enlisted in the army and served at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and Fort Dix in New Jersey. His army buddy encouraged him to settle in Louisiana, where he was blessed with the birth of his daughter Julie in 1976. In New Orleans, he found employment and developed a serious interest in golf. His hard work and dedication were always productive, culminating in him becoming one of the best amateur golfers in the New Orleans area and seeing the garbage service business he founded grow to be so successful that it was bought out by Waste Management, Inc. Don continued to work for Waste Management and became President of the Louisiana Division, representing the company’s interests in the state’s municipalities and at the Louisiana Capitol. There, he met and worked alongside Susan. Their professional relationship turned more personal as they shared interests in politics, enjoyment of the beauty of the environment, and a passion for travel. They were married in 2003, retiring that year to travel throughout the U.S., with a focus on Don’s passion for skiing. They found a second home in the ski and golf resort at Angel Fire, New Mexico. Don brought his experience and vision to the Village of Angel Fire, serving on the Wildfire Protection Committee for 10 years, including chairing the Committee, seeing the Village address the need for regulating the interface between urban and wildlands and working to become a Firewise community. Don sought to help others as he remained a quiet man. His intelligence, persistence and reliability made him a master of all trades. His surprising sense of humor made him a wonderful companion. He was never one to shy away from any task and took pride in doing things himself, completely rebuilding and restoring Susan’s grandfather’s house as they made their home on her family’s property in Hammond. He built an extraordinary life, humbly and modestly without the need for recognition. 

Don is preceded in death by his brother, William, and is survived by his wife, Susan Gordon Clark, his daughter, Julie Blondeau (Barret), and his granddaughter Wakely Carter, grandson Rivers Blondeau, and great-grandson Carter Wilkinson. They are joined in their grief by his step-daughter, Amanda Wu (David) and their children, Clara, Viviana and Vincent. In his final days, Don enjoyed a Christmas celebration at home surrounded by his and Susan’s entire family, passing on his fishing and golfing tips to the children–as he proudly referred to them, “all our heirs.”

The family will share a private service and are asking that you hold flowers and donations for a memorial that will be held at a later time.