Norwood Graham Clark, Jr.

November 7, 1941 – December 20, 2025

Norwood Clark made his final entry in life's journal on December 20, 2025. He was a highly regarded Certified Public Accountant in Raleigh. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, known as Papa.

He was born on November 7, 1941, in Wilmington, NC to the late Norwood and Nancy Clark. At the age of 11 months, he was diagnosed with polio.  Throughout his early years, he underwent numerous surgeries and rehabilitation sessions to strengthen his legs so he could live a normal, active life. With the encouragement of his parents and excellent medical care, he was able to live life without any limitations.   Neighborhood children were amazed how he could climb stairs backwards on his crutches. He never considered himself handicapped, and he participated in sports both organized and neighborhood. He loved playing baseball and excelled as a pitcher on his high school team.

He graduated from New Hanover High School in 1960 and entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  While at UNC, he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.  He graduated in 1964 with a BS in Business Administration-Accounting Major.

Throughout his life, Norwood was a member of the Rams Club and enjoyed many years of attending basketball and football games.

After passing the Certified Public Accountant's Examination, he began his career as a CPA. Norwood loved the accounting field and was very active in many aspects of the profession.

He was employed for 22 years by the State of North Carolina. He served in the State Auditor's Office; was Controller of the Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services; and Director of Audits for the Department of Health and Human Services, one of the largest State agencies.

In 1987, he opened his CPA firm and was a sole practitioner until his daughter joined the firm in 1993. In 2003 after a huge growth spurt, the firm merged with Dixon Hughes PLLC, which was one of the top 15 firms in the US.  The firm is now FORVIS.

Norwood developed and presented many continuing education (CPE) courses for practitioners in North Carolina and in other states. He was known as the Single Audit Guru.

Norwood was appointed to serve on the State Board of CPA Examiners numerous times by several Governors. He served for 12 years and held the positions of President, Vice President, and Chairman of the Professional Standards Committee.  He also was Treasurer of the North Carolina Association of CPAs.  He was the first Chairman of the NCACPA Political Action Committee.   He also served on many committees of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

When the NC Lottery Commission was created, he was one of the first members appointed to serve. He also was appointed by the Governor to serve on the NC Banking Commission and the Board of Trustees-State Retirement System.

As much as he enjoyed his professional life, his greatest joy was his family and time spent at his house on the Intracoastal Waterway. He loved fishing and spent many hours either on the pier or in his boat.  He delighted in time spent with Grimsley, his granddaughter. Papa taught her to fish, crab with a handline, and dig for clams. In addition, he spent many hours playing a variety of ball sports with her.

In earlier years, Norwood was a member of North Ridge Country Club and enjoyed playing golf as much as possible.  He was the last surviving member of his group of 8 Saturday morning golfers.

Norwood is survived by his wife Judy. They enjoyed 59 wonderful years as devoted best friends. Also, surviving are his daughter Rhonda Clark McNairy and husband Walter and granddaughter Grimsley.  He is also survived by his brother Ray and wife Glynda.

Norwood was a man of strong faith and was very active in church activities through the years. He taught Sunday School classes and enjoyed serving on various committees.  He was a very charitable man, giving not only his time, but also money to various organizations and individuals.

Philippians 2:3 describes his moto for life.  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

In Celebration of His Life, reach out to a forgotten friend and rekindle your friendship.