Local Folks: Clark LaBlond
Clark LaBlond did not grow up in Jacksonville. It took him until 1995 to return to the Bold City after hip hopping from California to Minnesota to Jacksonville then Chicago and, finally back to where he now calls home. This traveling man attended school in California where he swam competitively, played football, was in Indian Guides and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. While in high school he applied for an elite program which accepted only 40 people from all over the country for vet training. The acceptance letter arrived. His parents were thrilled. He was not. By then he had changed his mind. After some intense bargaining with his parents, he attended and absolutely loved it.
He continued his training in college with large animals – horses and cattle – but then switched from UC Davis to California Polytechnic and majored in Broadcast Journalism. His indulgent parents set more rigid boundaries and he gained a summer internship with Coldwell-Banker Realty where he was mentored by the agency owner who was a great influence on him. LaBlond explained that his parents and his maternal grandmother also helped mold the person he is today. He said, “My parents were absolutely amazing people – my mother was so talented. I developed my appreciation of the arts from her. She had breast cancer then developed ALS, but she got involved in a test study. She never complained and she taught me about being true to your core. She had great strength and fortitude. And my father worked tirelessly. I learned about having a strong work ethic. He was so patient and loving; I learned the gentle side of being a male from him even though he was 6’1” weighed 250 pounds and had played football for USC. He was a teddy bear.”
After traveling around the country, LaBlond returned to Jacksonville where he had previously worked in advertising and stayed in the guest house of friends Ric Goodman and John Hurtubise in Avondale. He had many opportunities to check out the historic district and purchased a home on Powell Place in 1997. As fate would have it, Rick and John invited “this poor California boy over for a party” and introduced him to their friend Ben Montgomery a Jacksonville resident since 1974. LaBlond described Ben as a “tall, good looking guy with the kindest soul. He is so genuine and has a huge heart.” It took a while, but the duo got engaged in 2018 and were married in October of 2020 at a friend’s house on the river. There were fireworks and custom masks for the 300 plus attendees! The couple loves to travel and despite concerned objections from friends concerning Covid, off they went to Egypt for their honeymoon. LaBlond explained that it was the trip of a lifetime and the timing was perfect because of Covid keeping the crowds away. They went on a hot air balloon ride at 4 A.M., rode camels, took a boat ride down the Nile with only 10 people on board and were the only visitors to one of the pyramids. The guard had to unlock the gate; Clark climbed into the burial vault and was the only person inside soaking up the mysterious allure of the ancient tomb.
The couple looks forward to visiting friends in Greece and going to New York when Broadway reopens. They support the arts locally, are members of The Cummer Gallery, Friends of Jax and LaBlond serves on several real estate related organizations as General Manager of The Legends Real Estate. The couple attend St. Paul’s Catholic Church, binge watch random tv shows but like feel good movies, musicals, and animation films. The duo loves to get dressed up to entertain and cook for their friends. Clark’s California style of cooking is just “throwing something together- pasta, chicken.” He says Ben has one signature dish – chicken curry. “Whether it’s dressed up or casual, we want our guests to say, ‘We feel so comfortable here.’ If its cheese and crackers or something fancier, we want a place where people can just BE. And have fun.”
Sue Barry, one of LaBlond’s Jazzercise students (add that to his resume’) said that Clark often invited students over to the house for parties and they were definitely lots of fun. She said, “We all love him. He’s so funny and witty. He was a really, really popular teacher.” LaBlond gave up on his Jazzercise teaching in 2020 after 17 years although he has maintained many friendships with his Jazzercise pals.
For Valentine’s Day the creative and fun minded LaBlond amused his partner Ben by staging a personalized scavenger hunt which involved a trip to the florist for flowers and to pick up a clue, then to Avondale Gift Boutique for another clue and on and on until finally out to dinner.
This “poor California boy” and Ben now have an entourage of adoring friends to entertain. Clark’s sister, her family and 2 cousins now live in Jacksonville as well so there will be many opportunities for the two some to welcome folks to their home- throw something together and have fun. Although he and Ben have sold their Avondale homes they are not straying from the fold. They are seeking a house in the historic district where they can entertain, share their generous spirits with friends and family and enjoy their lives together.
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