Chester Frank Clark Jr.

Published 11:43 am Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Chester Frank Clark Jr., 67, of Advance, NC, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Winston-Salem, NC following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on Sept. 4, 1957 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY to the late Chester (RED) Frank Clark Sr. and Virginia Eleanor Wessell Clark.
Chester spent his formative years in upstate New York; a 1975 graduate of Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School where he excelled on the JV and Varsity football field. After attending Paul Smith’s College he proudly graduated from Syracuse University. He called Advance, NC his home since 1991.
Friends and family remember Chester as a strong, kind, hard-working and fair leader. He could be described as having a “hard shell with a soft center,” a testament to his resilience, compassionate nature, and principled approach to life. He had a special talent for making people feel welcomed and was always good for a laugh.
Chester dedicated his career to manufacturing, where he was well known for his contributions to operational efficiency and his commitment to fostering positive company cultures. His sharp wit made a significant impact at every company he served, most recently at JRM, Inc., where he dedicated over 20 years of service up until the day he passed away. In recent years, he developed a passion for competitive clay target shooting, quickly rising through the ranks and making fast friends in the sport.
Chester is survived by: his former wife, Nancy Anne (Pettit) Robinson and their 3 loving children: eldest son Bradley Taylor Clark (Lauren Ashley), and their children Taylor Thomas Clark and Elliott Gordon Clark of Winston-Salem, NC; a daughter, Meagan Leigh Clark (Arthur William Hepler), and their children Ryder Phoenix Hepler and Maverick Caspian Hepler of Saratoga Springs, NY; and youngest son Russell Dale Clark and his wife (Malarie Reising) of Telluride, Colo.; also by his 4 siblings: Martha Elinor (Clark) Schoene of Broadalbin, NY, Margaret Ellen (Clark) Lazzari of Rotterdam, NY, Elizabeth Heidi (Clark) Smith of Neversink, NY, and Daniel Paul Clark of Greenville, SC; also by his former wife, Carol A. Carque.
A celebration of Chester’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at the home of Bradley and Lauren Clark, 2025 Colonial Pl., Winston-Salem, NC 27104. All friends and acquaintances are welcomed.
A separate funeral service and internment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Charlton, NY, fall of 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society in memory of Chester.