Charles “Cholly” Winfield Clark, 68, husband of DeLaine Pautler Clark, of Santee, South Carolina died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. We expect Coca-Cola shares to plummet on the open Monday morning, and the striped bass to swim easier in the waters of Lake Marion.
Cholly was the son of the late Helena Vernon Brown Clark and William “Bubba” Edward Clark, Sr. He was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
He will be greatly missed by his three daughters Lauren DeLaine Clark Miles (Ollie) of London, UK, Lindsey Vernon Clark Moberg (Dana) of Summerton, SC and Mary Helena Clark (Josh Minkus) of New York, NY and four grandsons Charles Dana Moberg IV, Charles “Cholly” Clark Moberg, Clark Oliver Miles, and Leo Edward Miles. His fifth grandson, Roy Winfield Miles is due in October.
In addition, he is survived by his brother William “Bill” Edward Clark, Jr. (Patricia), two nephews William "Edward" Clark, III and Charles "Winfield" Clark II (Abi), all of Santee, and a niece Ginna Hodges Clark of Santa Fe, NM.
He was an Elloree High School Warrior, number 70 on the football team, graduating in the class of 1967 after winning back-to-back State Championships. He pledged Sigma Nu at University of South Carolina, where he made many life-long friends. He graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
After college, he returned to Santee to follow in the footsteps of his father, growing the family business and making his own mark by coordinating real estate developments and pioneering the golf packaging business. Cholly’s career was dedicated to hospitality, tourism, and the growth of his hometown, and he was most proud of building and operating Santee National Golf Club (est.1991.) He had a vision of Santee as a destination and was personally involved in every aspect of his business, from the finances to hosting golfers from all over the United States and Canada.
He was an avid fisherman and even caught his bride on a Lake Marion fishing trip. In 1975, he married DeLaine Ann Pautler at the home of his parents, overlooking the lake. They were married for 42 years. A lover of the outdoors, he enjoyed dove hunts in Argentina and off-shore fishing trips in Edisto with friends and family. He was a dedicated member of his pool teams The Rack Pack and later the Parrotheads of the Oasis.
Cholly loved a story, a joke (especially a one-liner), a good song, a drink, and later a bowl of ice cream (or two). He gave each of his girls the freedom to explore and find their individual paths in life, delighting in their differences. He shared with them his love of music, dancing and entertaining. He could put together the perfect Beaufort Stew and the most fun Gamecock tailgates. His girls feel so lucky that he was able to walk each of them down the aisle to their perfect match, and he in turn was thrilled to have a round of men join “Cholly’s angels.”
Cholly was much loved across many circles of friends, and he enjoyed being surrounded by them. He made sure to express his love and pride for his family. “Chachi” taught his grandsons to shoot pool and cast a rod and made a point to say how smart and good looking they were. He always said I love you at the end of a phone call or a visit. He always expressed his appreciation and admiration for DeLaine. Even though he struggled with his memory later in life, he never forgot the important things. We love him for this and are grateful for every minute we had with him. Rest in peace Cholly Winks.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 25, 2018 from 5:00-7:00PM at the family home, 324 Broad River Drive, Santee, SC 29142. The funeral service will be held Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 11:00AM at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 9 North Duke St., Summerton, SC 29148.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.avingerfh.com. Arrangements entrusted to Avinger Funeral Home, 2274 Eutaw Rd Holly Hill, South Carolina, 29059, 803-496-3434.