Country Music Hall of Fame member and
versatile entertainer Roy Clark died Thursday at his home in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, after complications from pneumonia, his publicist said. He
was 85.
A fleet-fingered
instrumentalist best known for his 24 years as a "Hee Haw" co-host, the
affable Clark was one of country music's most beloved ambassadors.
He
brought heart and humor to audiences around the world, guest-hosted
"The Tonight Show," worked with greats like Hank Williams and blues
artist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and inspired countless pickers,
including a young Brad Paisley, with his instructional guitar books.
Roy Linwood Clark was born April 15, 1933, in Meherrin, Virginia. The oldest of five children, he grew up in a musical family.
Clark is preceded in death by grandson Elijah Clark. He is survived by
Barbara, his wife of 61 years, his sons Roy Clark II and wife Karen, Dr.
Michael Meyer and wife Robin, Terry Lee Meyer, Susan Mosier and Diane
Stewart, and his grandchildren: Brittany Meyer, Michael Meyer, Caleb
Clark, Josiah Clark and his sister, Susan Coryell.
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