Kenneth & Grady Jean Clark pictured on their 25th Anniversary
Kenneth and Grady Jean Clark celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this week with a lovely dinner at Flemings Restaurant in San Antonio. This special event was planned by their children Kimberly Clark and Henry Anderson. The guest list included Henry’s wife Judy, family friends Kim Lines, John and Kathy Yearwood, niece Mary Usrey and her husband Steve. Son Steven was unable to join them this time. The guests of honor were surprised by the crowd, but had a great meal and outstanding service at one of their favorite places on their special day. It was a extraordinary way to celebrate the many years of life they have shared so lovingly.
Kenneth and Grady Jean both grew up in Port O’Connor after moving here as very young children. They fell in love and married in Port Lavaca 60 years ago this week. They raised their children here, and helped with lots of others family’s children over the years. They have been well known for giving to others and lending a helping hand in the community. No matter the need, they were ready and able to help out and are loved by many for their generous spirit. They ran successful and well known local businesses including a waterfront hotel, restaurant and marina, a busy boutique, a bait shop and a shrimp and oyster house. Kenneth’s parents first established Clark’s Marina in 1917, Kenneth expanded and the next generation is continuing the tradition. You can find son Henry there most days, working hard serving our community with the family tradition of excellence. The Clark home on Harrison is a beautiful oasis and a singular picture of earlier POC development in a class by itself. The front pond is a bird paradise, and free range deer are often seen feeding the park like yard.
Kenneth and Grady Jean were instrumental in the growth and development of our POC Community. They were part of building the Community Center, have been mainstays of support in First Baptist Church, and are an active part of many other community groups and activities including Warriors Weekend, Chamber, Service Club, and others. For years, they have made their home, their pool and their resources available for use and enjoyment by our community, even at sometimes significant cost and sacrifice to themselves. When Kenneth retired from his daily schedule at Clark’s Marina, they were absent from Port O’Connor quite a bit for about ten years. They traveled, built a beautiful 2nd home in Colorado, and did what Kenneth describes as ‘playing full time.’ After selling the Colorado Clark annex, they returned to full time POC life and Kenneth loved to spend pre-dawn mornings at the Marina seeing fishermen off for a good days catch. Billy Ragusin, a lifelong employee and friend, told me, ‘they are the best kind of people,’ and those who have had the privilege and the blessing to know them would agree wholeheartedly. Happy 60th Anniversary to a special couple that is integral to the history and ambiance of Port O’Connor, Texas.
