The Cigar Lounge: Fred Clark had a penchant for bourbon and cigars

If Fred Clark took a swig in Heaven with everyone who raised a glass to him Tuesday night, he'd be loopy.

Since his uproarious, self-penned obituary ran in The Times-Dispatch on Sunday and a news article appeared Tuesday, nearly 800 readers from all over the world have posted condolences to his family.

And after reading about his penchant for bourbon and cigars, many promised to have a drink in his honor or light up that expensive cigar they'd been saving.

Clark, 61, had a lot of friends when he was alive, but he's got thousands more now.

Internationally, Clark now has fans in Ontario, Germany and Australia, where Brian MacDonald wrote, "God bless you, Fred. You've got class. May your family remember that you're not winking out of existence but simply being Recalled to Headquarters. Enjoy the trip."

...salute to you Fred Clark...