By: NewNaturalista

When I was born, Bishop Otis Clark had already lived a pretty full life. He was born in 1903 in Oklahoma before it was even a state. He survived the Tulsa race riots in 1921 and later worked as a butler for the likes of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. At one point Clark even served time in jail for making and selling bootleg liquor during Prohibition. “I had no idea I’d live this long,” he says. “It’s all up to God you see.”

Clark now 107 years old, sits with me inside of his home in Auburn, about 30 miles outside of Seattle. He’s handsome, fit and engaging, his hands gesturing wildly as he tells stories of his childhood in Oklahoma and his decision as a teen to move to Hollywood. “I was looking for my father and I found a lot more!” He laughs and grabs my hand as if he’s bracing me for what else he has to say. “I worked for Hollywood stars and they treated me well, we got what was left over,” says Clark, referring to the blacks who worked behind the scenes. “I got used to living the high life you know?” he smiles and looks directly in my eyes as he continues on. “But you know what really saved me was when I was born again.”

Clark is amazing. I sat there listening and at the same time marveling at the fact that I was engaging in one of the most fascinating conversations – with a 107 year old man. I want to know everything – all of his secrets, but Clark is dismissive. His daughter Gwyneth is more forthcoming about her dad, she tells me how he limits sugar, eats in moderation and loves to swim. He’s also not on any medication and walks around without the need of a cane. You’ve got to wonder if genetics or healthy living habits play a role in Clark’s remarkable life. When I ask him about that he shrugs and playfully swats at me. “It’s God, God kept me alive so that I can teach young people like you the truth.”

Every Sunday Clark does just that – preaching to his congregation at Life Enrichment Ministries in Federal Way. Doctors marvel at Clark, he was recently featured in Time magazine about the secrets of centenarians – the genetic and lifestyle factors that keep them living well past 100. Scientists want to know his secret – Clark fervently believes his faith and servitude to God is what has kept him not only alive – but living to the fullest.

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