Saturday could mark the “largest gathering of Long Beach Mayors ever,” according to Fourth District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw—all in honor of former Long Beach public servant Dr. Thomas Clark.

A stone pedestal graced with a “Statesman” image of Long Beach’s Dr. Thomas Clark, detailing his public service, will be unveiled Saturday, February 6 at 2:00PM to commemorate his legacy at the Los Alamitos Shopping Center on Bellflower and Stearns Street, near the optometry office from which he worked for many years, the city announced Monday.

In further honor of Clark, the Los Altos Shopping Center will be renamed Dr. Thomas Clark Plaza, according to a release from the city.

The 89-year-old Clark was first elected into the Long Beach City Council in 1966, serving as a representative for the residents of the Fourth District. He went on to serve the Fourth District from 1966 to 1996.

“Dr. Clark has given so much to Fourth District residents in particular, and the entire city of Long Beach in general,” said Supernaw in a statement. Supernaw led the effort to dedicate the plaza to Clark. “In fact, Dr. Clark took part in the original Los Altos Shopping Center groundbreaking ceremony,” he added.

During the time of Clark’s City Council service, council members selected him to be mayor of the city for three terms. General election law at the time mandated that Clark secure city-wide voter approval for his council district re-election during a general runoff election, not once, but twice.

Following his service in the Long Beach’s City Council, he was elected the Fifth District Trustee on the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees. For 16 years, he oversaw one of the era’s most vigourous campus facility modernization projects in the state, according to a press release from Supernaw.

Clark was born in San Diego in 1926, but graduated from Long Beach’s Wilson High School. Soon after graduating, he joined the U.S. Army and was later honorably discharged for his service. He attended Long Beach City College (LBCC) and obtained his BS, MS, and OD degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.

Clark was a notable track and field star during his LBCC years and was inducted into the LBCC Hall of Champions in 2007 for his athletic achievements, following his induction into the LBCC Hall of Fame for his community service in 1976.

Possible attendees to Saturday’s event include a long list of Long Beach mayors, such as Eunice Sato, Beverly O’Neil, Ernie Kell, Bob Foster and the current mayor, Robert Garcia—an array of notable public servants, sure to make Clark proud.

Above, left: Dr. Thomas Clark, courtesy of the City of Long Beach.