Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 2619 Centennial Blvd., Suite 101, Tallahassee, FL 32308; or Tall Timbers Research, Inc., 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312-0918; or the National Audubon Society; or the Nature Conservancy.

Lou was born August 21, 1929 in Jacksonville, where he grew up, part of an old established Jacksonville family. He entered the University of Florida, but his studies were interrupted by his service during the Korean War. He served with the cryptographic unit at the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, Kansas. Following that, he entered the University of Florida, where he graduated with Honors in 1957 with a degree in economics and real estate. Lou remained a loyal Gator throughout the remainder of his life.

Lou began his career with the Tennessee Valley Authority and subsequently was named Assistant Supervisor of Appraisers. In 1972 he and his family relocated to Tallahassee. He then served as Executive Vice President for Talaflo Appraisal Company, part of Tallahassee Federal Savings and Loan, before opening Louis E. Clark Appraisals in 1974. Lou was widely known and respected for his expertise in conservation easements, serving clients throughout the United States. Lou was a life member of the Appraisal Institute. His conservation easements have been used as examples in numerous professional meetings and publications of appraisers and other organizations dealing with conservation issues. Lou was a licensed Real Estate Broker in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Lou is survived by his wife, Catherine of Tallahassee; his daughters Katherine Smith and Elizabeth Clark of Smyrna, GA; grandsons Joshua Cameron Smith and Jeremiah Smith of Dothan, AL; sister Edith Lockett of Schenectady, NY; and her children Laurel Lockett and Ben Lockett, Jr.