ROME TOWNSHIP — It was a time for tears and celebrations as one of the pillars of the Lawrence County Fair was remembered Monday afternoon.

In a simple, poignant ceremony the 4-H Food Booth was dedicated to its onetime Fair President, Doug Clark, who lost his battle with cancer last year. He was 59.

Now the building will be known as the Doug C. Clark Memorial Building.

That red structure was the home for the fair office of Clark, who served as president from 1980-2009.

Getting that structure built was one of the numerous contributions Clark made to the fair he loved.

“He dedicated his whole life to this place and we are going to miss him,” current fair president Freddie Hayes told those gathered for the dedication.

After Clark’s wife and his daughter, Debby and Candy Clark, raised the American flag by the building and cut the red ribbon, the dedication became official.

“This will be a memorial to Doug forever,” Hayes said.