BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – Plans were announced over the weekend for ‘Roy Clark’s Celebration of Life’ memorial which will be open to the public. The service will be held on Wednesday, November 21 at 11:00am CT at Rhema Bible Church at 1025 W Kenosha St Broken Arrow, OK 74012 near Tulsa.
The service will be streamed at rhema.org as well as on Rhema Bible Church’s Facebook Page.
A private, invitation-only visitation for family, friends and fellow performers will take place Tuesday evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. For several years, Clark headlined a golf tournament for St. Jude’s, where a floor was named in his honor.
“I see a lot of celebrities come to St. Jude, and you know what’s in a person’s heart by how they entertain the children,” said hospital CEO David McKee. “He was truly touched by the kids, not the cameras.”
Clark saw his helping hand as a responsibility. “I’ve just been so blessed in my life,” he said. “It would be a sin for me to sit there and not share it, and not do something to help others.”
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105
(800) 822-634
~ Roy Clark Remembered ~
“Absolutely one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Roy and his family.” — Deana Martin
“THE OAK RIDGE BOYS EXPERIENCED MANY FIRSTS WITH ROY CLARK….HE WAS HOSTING THE TONIGHT SHOW WHEN WE HAD OUR FIRST APPEARANCE……WE WENT TO THE SOVIET UNION WITH ROY, THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL, MIDEM AT CANNES, FRANCE, AND HE TAUGHT US HOW TO WORK THE STAGES IN LAS VEGAS……WHILE HE HELPED OUR CAREER BEYOND WORDS, HE WAS OUR DEAREST FRIEND…..WHEN LEARNING THAT OUR BUS WAS IN THE SHOP, HE PITCHED TO US THE KEYS TO HIS BUS…..”USE IT AS LONG AS YOU NEED IT”……I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO WRITE HOW IMPORTANT HE WAS TO OUR CAREER……I LOVED HIM LIKE A BROTHER…..” — DUANE ALLEN, OAK RIDGE BOYS
“Performing at his theater in Branson and appearing on Hee Haw and all the Country Homecomings, Roy was always fun to be around and a joy to hear playing guitar. Rest in peace dear friend.” — Janie Fricke
“Very sad to hear about the passing of a fellow Okie and country music artist Roy Clark. Roy was one of the first country artist I ever saw on TV. Prayers for his family.” – @blakeshelton
“Roy Clark was an amazing musician and entertainer. He made pickin’ look fun to all of us young kids. I loved Roy Clark and he loved me. I’ll really miss him but he will not miss me where he’s at. There’s no missing in Heaven.” – @RickySkaggs
“I don’t believe it! My good friend #RoyClark left too soon & too young. Where does time go? Greatest guitar & banjo picker ever. Great voice. Great storyteller. Now w/ his friend #CharlesAznavour“Yesterday” Good story:… https://t.co/3mjUDQtqc4 — Chuck Yeager (@GenChuckYeager)
“Wonder what Roy Clark is saying to Jesus now -” @GenChuckYeager
“My last time with Roy in person – great time. Thank you for this #RoyClark” — Chuck Yeager (@GenChuckYeager)
RIP ROY CLARK pic.twitter.com/YD5Dr0enlv
— Pat Metheny (@PatMetheny) November 17, 2018
“Roy Clark was an amazing talent in the world of country music and truly an ambassador for the art form,” – SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris bit.ly/2FpD2At
“My friend Roy Clark has passed today. I will miss and always love you, Roy! My deepest condolences to the Clark family. Now, Rest In Peace. Here is a great memory…Roy and I enjoying a Christmas at Johnny’s ranch in Nashville….two for real friends!” – @TonyOrlando
“Deeply saddened to hear about #RoyClark’s passing. We loved his visits on the #DonnyandMarie show. Roy was hilarious, professional & a phenomenal musician. But more than that, he was one of the kindest gentlemen I ever met in show business. It was an honor to work with you, Roy.” – @donnyosmond
“Roy Clark was one of my old friends, he will be missed, he was a true southern gentleman, RIP buddy!” – Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip)
“Heroes come in many shapes & sizes. Roy Clark was a man to look up to because of his huge impact on the world in music & entertainment, his great character & giving spirit. He had a strong handshake, a smile that made it impossible to frown & a talent that gave joy to millions.” – HANSON (@hansonmusic)
“Heaven received a great entertainer yesterday. A tremendous guy who will be missed by many, including me. Thanks for the great times, Roy! Rest in peace my friend. Bill #RoyClark” pic.twitter.com/t3PGG9LDO2 — Bill Dance (@Bill_Dance1)
“Roy Clark was a consummate entertainer that we’ll all miss. He was such a great friend of my dad’s that I greatly admired.” – @PamTillis
“Sad to learn of the passing of the legendary Roy Clark yesterday. Met him backstage at the @opry a few years ago. He was very kind and encouraging to me. An amazing talent who helped build the foundation of Country Music. Rest In Peace, Roy.” – @ScottyMcCreery
“Roy Clark was one of the true nice guys in our business. I am blessed that he was part of my life. I grew up watching him on Hee Haw and was then invited to join the @opry by him in 2007. #fullcircle He will surely be missed.” – Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic)
“Roy Clark is gone and the world of music has lost a treasure. I remember watching episodes of Hee Haw with my grandparents as a kid and thinking how talented he was. That feeling only grew as I did… he will be greatly missed” – @ChrisYoungMusic
“RIP Roy Clark. A class act, a serious talent with a light spirit. Thank you.” – @Elizabeth_Cook
“Roy Clark was one of the greatest ever. His spirit will never die. I loved him dearly and he will be missed.” – Dolly Parton
“When I came to Nashville, Roy was one of my favorite stars. I loved the way he hosted the CMA’s and Hee Haw. It was always an honor to be on the same stage with him. I am already missing Roy’s big smile.” – Crystal Gayle
“The Halsey family’s hearts are filled with gratitude for the many years (59) of friendship and business association. He was a rare combination of talent and generosity. Roy Clark brought a special kind of healing to the world. He will be missed by the multitudes. – Jim Halsey, friend and manager
“My story is not unique. How many guitar players started with a Roy Clark guitar method book? How many guitars were sold to people wanting to play because of him? How many lives were made better because of his wit and joy? I’m one of so many.” – @BradPaisley
“When the Nashville floods wiped out most of my guitars, Roy heard about it & showed up at a show and gave me one of his. This is who this man was. Constantly giving. I owe him so much. Go say hi to my Papaw for me Roy. You left the world a much better place. #royclark” – @BradPaisley
“Roy Clark shaped my path. My Papaw introduced me to his music as a toddler. Every Saturday we’d watch Hee Haw. My first guitar book was a Roy Clark guitar method. I practiced his style, then practiced making his facial expressions. He was a hero. And so many have the same story.” – @BradPaisley
“I remember Roy as a great musician and singer. But more than that, he was a great human being. Always laughing, always uplifting to those around him. Doing shows with Roy on Hee Haw was such a wonderful experience. There is a vacant spot in Nashville now that he is gone. RIP Roy Clark” – Lee Greenwood
“Getting to REALLY know Roy Clark is one of highlights of my country career. I first met him on HEE HAW and the went on to do dozens of shows with him over the years. He was a good friend, we laughed a lot together and he loved Duke’s mayonnaise on his tomato sandwiches.” – T. Graham Brown
“My first CMA memory is sitting on my living room floor watching Roy Clark tear it up. Sending my love and respect to him and his family for all he did. – KU” – @KeithUrban
“Just got word that Roy Clark has passed. I’ve known him for 60 years and he was a fine musician and entertainer Rest In Peace Buddy, you will be remembered” – @CharlieDaniels
“Roy, thank you for always spreading laughter, kindness, and positivity. We’ll keep it goin’ for ya!” – @Opry
“Just heard Hee Haw Star / Super Picker #RoyClark just passed away. Saw him last when we filmed #CountrysFamilyReunion He was always so kind. Heaven gained another amazing addition to the Angel Band. Rest In Peace Roy” – @RhondaVincent13
“I had the honor of playing with Roy Clark on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and many times and on the television series Hee Haw. I looked up to Roy; he was the consummate entertainer. But the things I will remember most about Roy are his big, over-the-top, cheesy grin, and how, from the moment I met him, he made me feel like I had known him forever. Roy Clark was a good man… the real deal.” – Tim Atwood
“Rest In Peace friend, brother, mentor …. Roy Clark …” – @OakRidgeBoys
“Growing up watching #HeeHaw, I knew nobody could pick-&-grin like the great #RoyClark. And his #YesterdayWhenIWasYoung is one of the great songs of Country or any kind of music. A true legend. We will miss him. #RIP” – Terry Fator
“Wonderful Roy Clark was a great talent & a kind & gentle man. We had so much fun singing & dancing together. My love goes out to his family & friends. #royclark #rip” – @TheMitziGaynor
“We’re sorry to hear about the passing of Roy Clark. Roy Clark made best use of his incredible talent. He was both a showman and a virtuoso, with a love of music that beamed across air waves and into millions of living rooms, where families gathered to watch and listen.” – @countrymusichof
“R.I.P. Roy Clark. Oh man so many memories growing up with him on hee haw. Another part of my childhood that made growing up the way I did awesome. Hee Haw, Johnny Carson, Paul Harvey among others are everywhere in my memory bank. He lived a long great life and I thank him. SALUTE” – @GitRDoneLarry
“Roy Clark was a very sweet Man that loved Jesus and country music. Heaven just got a great picker! Can’t wait to see him do some pickin’ and grinnin’ on them heavenly hay bales.” – @GitRDoneLarry
“Roy’s passing is overwhelming. It is truly the end of an era. Roy was Big Daddy for all of us. And for those of us who were blessed to know him as a friend and work with him, it hurts so deeply. He made so many of our careers possible. It offsets the deep anguish of his passing to know he is free from any suffering now and that his great talents are with us forever on the thousands of TV episodes, recordings and in our memories. His huge contribution to the music business and to so many of us personally is etched in our hearts forever. America loves Roy and we will all bless his memory, honor him and thank him forever. He was truly one of God’s good ones.” – Jana Jae
“23 years ago, Roy Clark changed my life in an instant. It is hard to put it into words, but from the moment we first encountered each other, he knew me, believed in me and took it upon himself to give me great opportunities that otherwise would never have been possible. I can only be so grateful that I had a chance in my life to reconnect with him and tell him personally exactly what he had done for me all those years ago. The other great blessing is that I was given an opportunity to develop a meaningful friendship with this man over the last few years. It brings me great peace. I would play for him, and he would just smile and become so genuinely excited. Again, at just the right moment in my life, he became a great encourager. Roy has left a lasting impact on my life. For over 20 years I’ve been telling people the stories of how he changed my life…and I will never forget.” – Kyle Dillingham
“Our deepest condolences to the family of Roy Clark. Country music has lost another giant – well-loved both for his unique talents and his generous, kind-hearted spirit.” – @OfficialRFDTV
“My friend of 46 years is gone and I am heartbroken. He could make me laugh like no other and now he makes me cry. His music will live forever and now the angels in heaven are picking and grinning. I love you always dear friend.” – Misty Rowe
“RIP Roy Clark, was an honor to pick and sing with you” – @raybensonaatw