Veteran Muncie attorney ‘Chic’ Clark dies at 81

Keywords Law Firms / Muncie / neglect / Obituary
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Charles R. “Chic” Clark, a Muncie native and longtime lawyer who served his community and gained a reputation for success as a litigator, died Wednesday. He was 81.

Clark was a practicing attorney for more than 53 years, admitted to the bar in 1962 after graduating from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. He attended DePauw University after serving in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.

He began his career practicing with his father, Ray W. Clark, at the firm of Warner Clark & Warner. After his father died, the younger Clark moved to Beasley & Guilkinson LLP. He retired in 2012, but remained active with a small solo practice until recently.

“He had a booming laugh that would fill a building,” said Toni Crabtree, an attorney at Beasley & Guilkinson who knew Clark for about 15 years. “He was a very good trial attorney and quite a character.

“He was my boss, and he was an amazing teacher,” she said. “I’d never been in a law firm or worked for an attorney’s office, and he was very kind, very patient.”

According to Clark’s obituary, he was proudest of his achievements trying and settling lawsuits. Those include a $10 million class-action on behalf of a group or retirees and a $1.5 million judgment in a Madison County personal-injury trial.

Clark also served as a public defender, deputy prosecutor, Delaware County attorney and as city attorney for Muncie, Marion and Parker City, according to his obituary.

Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Meeks Mortuary, Washington Street Chapel, Muncie, with visitation beginning at 3 p.m.

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