Clark Earle Mecum

Clark Earle Mecum, 100, of Gainesville, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Mr. Mecum was born in Surrey, Warren County, Illinois on February 16, 1910. Clark was the son of Charles Earle Mecum and Gladys Mecum. He married Gertrude Elizabeth Famulener in Galesburg. Illinois on September 2, 1933. They had been married 63 years, before Gertrude passed away March 3, 1997.

Mr. Mecum is survived by his son Richard "Dick" Mecum, and daughter-in-law, Judy Clark Mecum of Gainesville; grandchildren, Sheila Young of Flowery Branch, Rene' Huber of Windsor, California; Rich Mecum of Oakwood. Grandchild, Christine Fulbright preceded his death on March 14, 2007, in Casper, Wyoming; step-grandchildren, Cindy & Chris Thompson of Gainesville, Cathy & Wayne White of Gainesville, Stacey & Daniel Manning of Dallas, Georgia and Kelly & Melissa Strickland of Gainesville; great-grandchildren, Michael Young, James Young, Deena Fulbright, and Valerie Fulbright all of Flowery Branch. Great-grandchild, Wesley preceded him in death on November 2, 2003. Step-great-grandchildren, Jessica Thompson, Seth White, Riley White, Morgan White, all of Gainesville, Mason Manning, Kylie Manning, of Dallas, Georgia, Amber Strickland, Alexis Strickland, both of Gainesville. Great-great-grandchildren, Ania Fulbright, Kayden Fulbright, Damon Young, Kayla Young, all of Flowery Branch.

Clark grew up on a farm outside Galesburg, Illinois, and had numerous stories about growing up in a farm community; including driving a school bus route at the age of 15. He had seen many changes in our society, and witnessed a time when the average annual income was $1,150, a new car cost $950.00, a new house $3,400.00, a loaf of bread was .04, a gallon of gas was .09, a gallon of milk .34, and the Dow Jones average was 82. When Clark left the farm, he went into retail sales with Brown-Lynch & Scott hardware stores in Galesburg, and later became manager the BLS stores in Cambridge, and Toulon, Illinois. In 1950, Clark and his family move to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he continued his work in retail sales with Montgomery Ward. In 1966, he took a job as a quality control inspector for Woodward Governor in Fort Collins, and retired in 1975. In 1979, Clark and Gertrude moved to Gainesville to be closer to their son and daughter-in-law. Clark started a candy store called the Candy Jar on Bradford Street, close to the downtown square. He sold home made fudge using his "secret" fudge recipe. He had to close the store after a few years because of Gertrude's poor health. Clark was dedicated to the care of Gertrude, and though her health continued to decline because of multiple-sclerosis, he steadfastly looked after her, never wavering or complaining. To watch them together and seeing the loved they shared for each other was an example and inspiration