Mr. Raymond Leslie Clark, known as "Spotted Turtle" and "Mr. Pete", passed this life on Monday, December 26, 2005. He was born June 28, 1919 in Robeson County, NC to Barto and Emma Sampson Clark.
He was a World War II Navy Veteran. He was one of the few remaining Specialist "Q" personnel that worked on the development of RADAR for the Naval Research Laboratory during WWII. "Mr Pete" was a retired public school educator and Indian activist. Most of the young Indian people actively involved in carrying on traditional Indian ways were given their native name by Spotted Turtle in the original Cheraw language. His former students will always remember him for not only his ability to teach, but also his ability to write with both hands simultaneously.
Spotted Turtle was a mainstay in the traditional ways of the tribe. He was the Senior Elder in the Lumbee Tribal Elders Council and a recipient of the coveted Henry Berry Lowry Award. A phrase heard often around the Elder's Fire was, "Ask Spotted Turtle." That option is no longer.
He was preceded in passing by his wife Estelle Revels Clark, his parents, a brother Tracy Clark, and three sisters, Wilma Clark Sanderson, Juanita Clark Revels, and Vernette Clark Williamson. He is survived by his brother Barto Clark, Jr. of Pembroke, and sister Ann Clark Burleson of Leland, NC. He leaves behind three sons and their wives, Ray and Kat Littleturtle, Dennis and Linda Clark, and J. Michael and Tabetha Clark all of Pembroke. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He left behind a global family from pow-wows, spiritual gatherings, elders councils, other tribes, and tribal leaders too numerous to list.
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