Eric Clerk Remembered: Beloved Community Leader with Deep Ties to Oceanside, California and Daytona Beach, Florida Dies Suddenly, Leaving Both Coastal Communities Grieving His Unexpected Loss
“Eric had this way of making everyone feel seen,” said Tanya Rodriguez, a former student who now runs a media collective in San Diego. “He taught us that we weren’t just from a small beach town—we were from a place worth building.”
In Daytona Beach, Clerk became instrumental in grassroots revitalization, particularly in Midtown, a historically Black neighborhood affected by decades of disinvestment. He helped establish the Midtown Business Incubator Hub, offering free workshops, mentorship, and start-up support to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Eric Clerk saw potential where others saw blight,” said Alton Parker, a Daytona city council member. “He empowered people to dream—and gave them the tools to make it real.”
Community Builder, Mentor, and Gentle Leader
Clerk’s approach to community work was rooted in personal connection and consistent presence. He was not content to work from behind a desk. Friends say he preferred porch conversations, neighborhood walks, and listening sessions with local elders.
He often quoted from both James Baldwin and bell hooks, weaving together themes of justice, love, and accountability in his daily interactions. Known for his humility, Clerk rarely took credit for his accomplishments, instead shining the spotlight on those he uplifted.
“He was the type of leader who would hand you the mic and sit in the front row,” said Angela Davis-Bright, director of the Florida African American Heritage Foundation. “He wanted to raise a generation that would do even more than he could.”
In both cities, Clerk served on advisory boards for civic planning, education, and public health. He was a regular speaker at town halls and often appeared in local media, where he advocated for fair housing, mental health awareness, and restorative justice.
During the pandemic, Clerk became a key liaison between vulnerable communities and public health officials, working tirelessly to dispel misinformation and ensure vaccine access.
An Outpouring of Tributes Across the Nation
In the days following Clerk’s death, social media platforms have become digital memorials filled with memories, photos, and heartfelt tributes.
From former students to current city council members, tributes have echoed one resounding theme: Clerk’s life was one of service. Community centers in both Oceanside and Daytona Beach have held candlelight vigils, and both cities are planning official proclamations to honor his legacy.
In Oceanside, Mayor Esther Sanchez described Clerk as “a pillar of our community whose impact will echo for generations.”
In Daytona Beach, Mayor Derrick Henry said Clerk “embodied the best of what it means to serve your neighbor. He was a light in dark times and a guiding compass for so many.”
The Oceanside Cultural Commons, founded by Clerk in 2009, will host a celebration of life event next week at the city’s Civic Center Plaza. In Florida, a public memorial will take place at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, a site Clerk helped secure for youth sports and mentoring initiatives.
Family, Faith, and the Foundations of His Life
Eric Clerk was known publicly as a civic leader, but to his family, he was the anchor. He is survived by his two adult children, Mariah Clerk-Holloway, a public school teacher in Los Angeles, and Devin Clerk, a musician and arts therapist based in Atlanta. He is also survived by four grandchildren, a younger brother, and a host of extended family members, many of whom still reside in California and Florida.
“Our father lived a life of purpose,” said Mariah in a statement released Tuesday. “He believed in showing up, in listening before speaking, and in leaving things better than you found them. We are overwhelmed with grief but also with pride for who he was to so many.”
Clerk’s faith was a quiet but guiding force. A lifelong Christian with deep respect for interfaith dialogue, he often collaborated with mosques, synagogues, and non-denominational groups to build bridges between communities. Friends say he lived his faith not through preaching, but through radical compassion.
A Lasting Legacy and the Work Ahead
While the suddenness of Clerk’s passing has left both communities reeling, there is a shared determination to continue the work he started. Organizations he helped found or support have pledged to carry on his mission.
In Oceanside, the Cultural Commons announced a new initiative—the Eric Clerk Creative Fellowship—designed to support young artists of color from North County San Diego.
In Daytona Beach, the Midtown Business Incubator will be renamed in Clerk’s honor. City officials are also considering a mural installation featuring his likeness, accompanied by the words he often said to youth: “Build boldly. Love loudly.”
Plans are also underway for a dual-city memorial scholarship fund to help first-generation college students from Oceanside and Daytona Beach pursue education in social work, urban planning, or community arts—fields that defined Clerk’s life.
Conclusion: A Life That Spanned Coasts, Cultures, and Communities
Eric Clerk’s passing is a monumental loss, not only for the communities of Oceanside and Daytona Beach but for all who believe in the power of grassroots leadership, inclusive civic engagement, and intergenerational mentorship.
He was a man of vision, action, and humility—a rare combination in any era. He showed that lasting change doesn’t come from distant leadership but from walking beside people, knowing their stories, and helping them build a better future together.
Though he is gone, his fingerprints are on murals, youth centers, small businesses, neighborhood gardens, and in the hearts of the thousands he mentored, supported, and inspired.
“Eric Clerk was the blueprint for community leadership,” said longtime friend and collaborator Janice Kim. “He didn’t just serve us—he loved us. And that love will keep moving forward, even now.”