Richard Clarke's Obituary
Richard "Dick" Clarke was born Feb 26, 1918, in Dallas Texas. He joined the Army ROTC while attending Oklahoma University in Norman, Oklahoma. Called up to active duty in 1943 as an Artillery officer in the Rainbow Division (42nd Infantry Division), he was sent to Europe in 1944. Due to his small size (less than 140 lbs), he was assigned as an Artillery observer, and flew more than 200 missions over German Lines in a Piper Cub, and was highly decorated for his efforts. He was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.
Following the war, he completed his BS in Chemical Engineering at OU; worked in Oklahoma for several years; moved to Little Rock, Arkansas in the early 1950s; and moved to Dallas, Texas in 1963 where finished his professional career in Dallas, Texas as Director of Maintenance for the Dallas Water Department. In the 1980s he moved back to Arkansas and lived there for the rest of his life. He settled in Springdale in 1996.
One highlight of his retirement years was travel around the country and to Europe and Australia. The last few years he was active in the community making presentations, "Travels with Dick Clarke," slides and humorous stories of his travels at senior centers and the Jones Center.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and was an active member of the Asbury Sunday school class and the Friendship Club.
He was married, first to Maxine Adams. Their two sons were Richard Mark Clarke and Thomas David Clarke. He later married to Clara Storie Freeman. He was father to Shirley Freeman Waggoner and Jerry Freeman.
He is survived by his daughter, Shirley Waggoner, of Springdale, his son, Richard Mark Clarke, of San Jose, California, a daughter-in-law, Alice Freeman, of Springdale, and grandchildren David Clarke, Laurel Clarke, Megan Clarke. Richard Clarke, Timothy Freeman, Renee Henson, Stephen Waggoner and Susan Campbell. He had 13 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Clara and sons Thomas Clarke and Jerry Freeman.
Pall Bearers are Mike Henson, Randy Campbell, DeVoe Campbell, Stephen Waggoner and Richard Mark Clarke. Honorary Pall Bearers are the Asbury Sunday School Class at Fayetteville Central UMC.
Memorials may be made to Fayetteville Central UMC or the Senior LIFE at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
Memorial Service will be at 10 AM, Monday August 7th at Fayetteville Central UMC with Reverend Tony Holifield presiding. Internment will be 12:00 PM, Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock, with Reverend Stephen Waggoner.
Visitation will be 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM, Sunday, August 6, 2006.
To sign the online guest book go to www.nelsonberna.com
Arrangements are by Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville.
Visitation Date Time Sunday, August 6, 2006 6:00 PM till 8:00 PM Visitation Location Chapel of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Fayetteville Cemtral UMC or the Senior LIFE at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale. Service Date Time Monday, August 7, 2006 10:00 AM Service Location Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas with Rev. Tony Holifield officiating.
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