Jena resident Burl Clark is the last living World War II veteran in LaSalle Parish, as the many other men who served during that great war have passed on.

Clark was in the United States Air Force, and early in his service, was stationed at the Foster Air Force Base in Victoria, Texas. It was here that he met Mary Martin, originally from Opelousas. They communicated through letters until he left the service, and they were married in her hometown on March 10, 1946.

Just a few years later, the Clarks moved to Jena, where Burl worked in department stores and the telephone company before beginning his career at Hunt Oil Company, from which he retired after 35 years. The Clarks had a daughter, Gayle, and a son, Glenn, born into their union, but both children are deceased.

Last March, the couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary and were recognized by the Louisiana Family Forum as one of the state’s Top Ten Longest Married Couples.

On July 31, 2023, Clark turned 100 years of age and celebrated with his family and friends the day prior at East Jena Baptist Church, where he and Mary have been members for many years.