Charlie Clark 100th bday.jpg

Charlie “Big Daddy” Clark has been married his wife, Annie, for 34 years.

Impressive enough in its own right, but it’s the second time Clark has been married that long.

Clark’s friends and family celebrated his 100th birthday last week with a surprise party at the Gardendale Civic Center.

The occasion was recognized by the Gardendale City Council, as councilman Alvin Covington presented Clark with a resolution honoring his century of life.

Clark was born in Livingston, Ala., but lived most of his life in Bessemer. After his first wife passed away, Clark married his co-worker, Annie, who had also recently lost her spouse. The couple moved to New Castle, where they still live today.

His age hasn’t slowed him down much. His neighbor of 17 years, Steve Dale, says that Clark is a great cook who can still whip up a meal the old-fashioned way.

“He made a big pot of gumbo just last week,” Dale said. “I drove him down to the Finley Avenue Farmers Market and we got it all fresh. He did all that by himself. I just help him out a little bit now and then.”

Clark is a veteran of World War II. He served in the 45th Engineer General Service Regiment, an all African-American unit.

“I was in India in the 45th when the war broke out,” Clark said.

The 45th was one of several units which helped construct the Ledo Road (later Stillwell Road), which was used to move supplies by the Allied Forces to the Chinese through India and Burma. It replaced the famous Burma Road, which was captured by the Japanese. Clark said his time in the military had the greatest impact on his long life.

Clark’s family believes “Big Daddy” to be Gardendale’s oldest resident, though no records are available to confirm that.

After a century of life, Clark is a happy man.

“If I don’t make it out past that door, it’s still been great,” he said.