REMEMBERING DANNY RAE CLARK

           On Monday, May 5, 2008 I met Danny Rae Clark on the work site of the “Make A Smile” park in Moss Point, Mississippi. He had a big smile on his face and told me that he thought he had the Flu over the weekend because his joints ached and he was tired. I suggested that if he was sick he should have stayed home. Even though he felt bad, he said he wanted to be at the park and help build it for the kids. Danny Rae had helped come up with the idea on how to build the shelter we were building. The crew found out quickly that he was a fun loving guy and everyone made friends with him rapidly. He was quick to come back at everything. Later that day, we finally convinced him to see a doctor.

          Tuesday morning, Danny Rae was back on the site and cutting up with the folks there. He said he felt better and was ready to go. About 12:30 he asked me to take him back to the hospital. As he got out of the car, he told me, ” Mr. Don, I do not want to be here, I want to be building the park for those kids”. He was admitted.

          Wednesday morning he was in intensive care and was having dialysis. The crew joined hands and Chaplain Gary Evans led us in a prayer of healing for Danny Rae.

          While Danny Rae was in the hospital, we continued to work at the park, pray for him and finished the park Wednesday evening. Thursday morning there was a ribbon cutting and just before it, we were told that he was critical. We had another prayer for him and proceeded with the opening of the park. I told those in attendance about Danny Rae and asked that they take care of his family, who lives about 70 miles from Moss Point. Several Aldermen and Alderwomen who were there assured me that they would. After the ribbon cutting, the crew headed home and I headed to New Orleans to help finish the park there. All day I thought about Danny Rae and felt that I should be at the hospital with him and his family. I returned to Moss Point that night and arrived about 10:00pm. I met Becky, Danny’s wife and his children, Hannah, Denton and Leah. Becky was taking me to meet his mother and father when the doctor stopped her and told her that Danny Rae had died. Grief overtook everyone there. I could not help feeling that he waited for me to get there before he died. As the evening wore on, I met the rest of Danny Rae’s family. It was obvious that this family loved and trusted God. I stayed at the hospital to offer assistance until the last family member left.

          Friday morning I informed each member of our team of Danny’s death. Each was shocked and expressed a sense of loss. I contacted the Alderman George Martin to see what process had to be followed to have the park named after Danny Rae. I also contacted Alderwoman Noevett and was advised that a formal request should be sent to the Mayor. This was delivered a short time later. Then I headed to Danny Rae’s home. I talked with Becky and went to see Danny Rae’s parents.

          From Friday afternoon through Sunday I talked with family and friends and found out that the Danny Rae I had gotten to know so quickly was a GREAT GUY whose last job on earth was helping kids in Moss Point that he never knew. He loved his wife and children and sat on the 50-yard line at home football games, especially when his son, Denton, was playing. He smiled and laughed a lot. Would help anyone who needed it. He worked in the Maintenance Department at South Mississippi Correctional Institution and had worked on projects all over the city and county. He had a brother and two sisters and was, it seemed, kin to everyone in the county. His parents are wonderful people who you feel at home around instantly. He loved horses and fishing. The line at the Wake lasted for five hours and it seemed as though everyone in Leakesville was at the funeral home that night. Danny Rae had a lot of friends.

          Danny Rae had the most beautiful funeral I have ever attended. It was long but simply beautiful. Alderman Martin from Moss Point attended. During the funeral, ten of Danny Rae’s friends got up and told their favorite memories of him. We laughed and cried but all were comforted that we had known him and convinced that he was making new friends in heaven.

          Following the burial and good byes to his wife and family, I headed home. I may have only known him for four days but Danny Rae Clark will be with me forever. I am a better person because I got to know Danny Rae.

                        REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND.