Marley Scott “Atopa” Ajibogun Clark (July 9, 1978 – April 21, 2018) of Laramie, Atlanta, and San Francisco, has, after prolonged illness, gone home to meet his Maker. He was as much city as he was countrified. From a young age, he was prone to making friends easily. He had many. He was devoted to skateboarding for years, adored walks among skyscrapers as much as trees, and could be considered a consummate graffiti artist, with works across the continent. He sympathized with the downtrodden, was at ease with anyone of any background, without judgmentalness. His laughter was legendary, his head thrown back, belly shaking. When his friends and family speak of him, it is always in admiration of his exceptional kindness. The universe is a lesser place with him gone. He is survived by siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as his father, Solomon Ajibogun, and his mother, Norma Clark, and Mr. Biz, his hyperactive puppy. His was a gentle soul, one loyal and dazzling, too, with wit and insight. He was too young to go so soon. He will be missed.
A Memorial service for Marley will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27, 2018 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 602 E Garfield St, Laramie, WY 82070.
There will be services in San Francisco at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marley S. Ajibogun Clark Memorial Fund c/o Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.
I am grieving for sweet, lovable Marley who captured my heart when he was four years old. My sympathy and sorrow for Norma is inexpressible. Penny Durham
Dear Norma, Kathy told me. My heart goes out to you. Within the last few months my youngest son Johann befriended a fellow, whom he described him as magical and awesome. It was Marley, I wish him joyous journeying across the universe, and I wish you peace and a knowing in your heart that he is well. Peace & Love, Karin
Hi Karin, I am a friend of Marley, and want to thank you for sharing about your son's friendship with him. It made me smile to think of him as being magical. I suppose he was...well, still is, really. Peace be with you and your family. -Leasha
Dear Solomon and Norma, My heart is so heavy as I write this to offer you not only my sympathy, but my deepest empathy as a parent, and mostly as a friend of your son, who was like a brother to me. He was a rainbow in a grey sky, and his colors not only touched us all who knew him by his expressive face with ,oh yes, that laugh and huge smile, and the love he felt for so many, but also the world who didnt have the pleasure of knowing the man himself but who have seen his art, which will live on for many years, in many places (at least we can hope, given the nature of the medium of so much of his work, of course [smile]). I don't believe that the Universe is missing anything with his physical presence gone from us, however. He is definitely still here. I was just trying to get him to help me pick a song to listen to that would remind me of him, actually, but my mind is wandering a bit too much today to hear him. But he is there...Peace I pray to you. Much Respect, Leasha
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of Marley. May the God of all comfort provide your family with strength during this very difficult time. (2 Corinthians 1:3;4)
Bless him and his loving mother Norma. Sending Love at this sad time.
I am so sorry for your loss, Norma. I know you and he were very close. I will miss seeing him walk Mr. Biz around the neighborhood.