Services set for Rocky Clark
BY SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY slafferty@southtownstar.com January 9, 2012 6:18PM
Rocky Clark, a former Eisenhower High School football player who was paralyzed from the neck down when he was tackled during a game in 2000, died at a suburban Chicago hospital on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
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Updated: February 11, 2012 8:12AM
Hundreds of friends, family and supporters who followed the story of Rocky Clark after he was paralyzed from the neck down during a high school football game are expected to turn out for the Robbins man’s services Friday and Saturday.
Visitation for Clark tentatively is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at A R Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 18400 S. Pulaski Road in Country Club Hills.
Family and friends also may visit from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3620 W. 139th St. in Robbins, prior to a service. Interment will be at Burr Oak Cemetery, 4400 W. 127th St. near Alsip.
After suffering a spinal cord injury during a football game in September 2000 while playing for Eisenhower High School, Clark lived the last 11 years of his life as a quadriplegic. But he was known for being positive and trying to help others in similar situations.
Clark died Thursday at age 27. A family said complications related to his lungs and kidneys was the cause of death.
Clark’s medical insurance ran out in August 2010, and fundraisers have helped pay for his medical and living expenses since. Donations can be made to the Rasul (Rocky) Clark Benefit Fund, First Midwest Bank, 3737 W. 147th St., Midlothian, IL 60445, or to the Annette Clark Citimortgage Mortgage payment fund by calling (800) 283-7918.
Clark’s pastor, the Rev. Anthony Williams, is urging support for Illinois House Bill 603, which would require a lifetime of insurance benefits for high school athletes who suffer catastrophic injuries while participating in school-related activities.
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