Donovan D. Clark

Donovan David Clark (Donovan Dawud 1bn-Rivqah Ali) was born on March 7, 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lovingly chosen from infancy by Preston and Rebecca Clark, he was brought into their home. He departed this life on January 1, 2025.

Donovan attended Greater Emanuel Apostolic Temple with his family and later was baptized in Jesus' name. He attended and was educated in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Donovan received his GED in 1997. His love of arts and photography led him to pursue photography at Antonelli College. Due to unfortunate circumstances, it led to his incarceration. During his initial few years within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation Correction (ODRC), was anything but rehabilitable. Donovan encountered numerous challenges off and on, but through it all after receiving advice and counseling from an older offender who encouraged him, he obtained his first job working for Ohio Prison Industry (OPI) in the print shop. Despite all the obstacles he encountered he retained employment in the Tag Shop for 3 years. When his security level was lowered in April 2005, he transferred to Lebanon where he immediately resumed working in the OPI Tag Shop thanks to a referral from a previous supervisor. Again, his security level was lowered, permitting a transfer to Chillicothe Correctional Institute.

In Chillicothe, Donovan worked in the OPI Vehicle Modification. He joined the Cultural Awareness Group, volunteered in the Chapel, and worked as the grounds keeper. He spent time doing all these things and insufficient time on his studies and reading. Consequentially, he lost the focus that originally kept him stable. As a result of those distractions, he regressed, encountering more challenges and a transfer back to Lebanon. He could blame only himself for this failure. After a true self-assessment, he thought of a quote by James Allen that he found solace in, altering his path, "Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your own thoughts; you will receive that which you earn, no more, no less." After returning to Lebanon, the realization occurred that nothing could transpire in his life without his permission. Furthermore, he understood it took a conscious effort to demonstrate the divine principles of love, truth, peace, freedom, and justice with the hope of shifting the paradigm and to serve as a "light." After getting his previous job back in the Tag Shop, he briefly worked for Aramark and attended Links Bible Class for an associate degree in Theology.

He was a third-year student when he dropped out (due to the Pandemic). His teacher commented that Donovan kept dialogue going in class and was very intellectual. An avid reader, over time he amassed his own library of books. One of his achievements was authoring a book entitled, "Way Of The Fish."

While in Lebanon, Donovan served as a deacon in the Epiphany program, a Christian based retreat for men under 25, a 3-day event, meeting once a month for a reunion. He attended Sunday's Kingdom Men's Service (in the past he attended their prayer meeting for years). Accomplished and a contributor, he was a trained mentor through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation Correction (ODRC) to assist with mentoring younger offenders and President of the African Culture Organization (ACO), an organization providing various programs throughout the year and community service by giving back to the community. Instrumental in assembling programs for Black History Month and Juneteenth, and teaching classes on African Culture. Clearly a very learned and intelligent man, Donovan revealed an impressive and knowledgeable aptitude on Black History and African Culture.

He worked in Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) from 2015 until a final transfer to North Central Correctional Institute on July 24, 2024. In his life's journey, Donovan loved the Lord and earned the respect of staff and fellow inmates. Those transformative life changes led to an anticipated opportunity, although unfulfilled because of death, to participate in the Beyond Guilt Program, a training that increases incarcerated adults' chances to maintain employment and be productive citizens when they are released. Scheduled to be released from incarceration, but God spoke and now he is free from earthly obligations.

Donovan was preceded in death by his father, Preston Clark; sister, Carol Lynn Pope; grandparents, Levi Sr., and Katherine Pope.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Rebecca Mae Clark; sister, Traci (Derron) Brooks; son, David Farley; grandson, Kingston Warner; aunts: Deborah (Ardell) Griffith, Ruby Rohrig and Marilyn Clark; uncles: Robert (Mary) Pope Sr., Raymond Pope, Kenneth Clark and Robert Clark; special friend (BFF), Myla Chappell and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

His family celebrates his life and rejoice in the love he gave them throughout the years.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donovan D. Clark, please visit our floral store.