Lloyd J. Clark, 83, died of natural causes July 16 at the Florida Baptist Nursing Center.
He was born May 4, 1917 and raised in Vincennes, Ind. In WW II he joined the Army Air Corps and spent the war years in California as an instructor of aircraft mechanics.
He and his wife, Henrietta (died in 2005), visited friends in Vero Beach in 1955 and were so impressed they bought Southern Hardware and moved to Vero.
Lloyd rapidly became involved in the community and became a volunteer fireman on the beach. Next he joined with friends who formed the Volunteer Ambulance Squad in 1966. He served as President for several years and, at the same time, worked regular shifts as an ambulance driver. There were enough volunteers, with ongoing training programs, to furnish 24/7 emergency and non-emergency ambulance service at no charge, supported by donations.
So successful was the service that Indian River County made a donation each year until 1990 when a paid ambulance service was established by the county.
The Volunteer Ambulance Squad continues as a smaller entity, providing only non-emergency service.
In 1960 Lloyd and a few friends banded together to form the Indian River County Antique Car Club. A few years later it joined with and became a chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America.
His first restoration, in 1961, was a 1922 model T Ford Depot Hack which continues to participate in parades and public events. In 1960, Lloyd sold Southern Hardware and joined Floyd Grimm in the construction business.
An early major project was construction of facilities for Arnold Ford Sales in the 1300 block of US 1. Arnold’s was then sold to and became Velde Ford.
He is survived by a daughter, Patricia, her husband, Dr. James Stewart, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1700 20th Street at 3 p.m on July 23.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Volunteer Ambulance Squad, PO Box 2240, Vero Beach, FL 32961.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida. Condolences may be sent through www. seawindsfh.com/obit.php
