2/25/2012
Thomas Lee Roy Clarke, Sr. was born on October 24, 1927 in Spencer, Iowa, the son of Irl Hicks Clarke Sr. and Lola Mae (Webb) Clarke.
Tom attended Flagler Elementary and Knoxville High School and went on to further his education at Area II where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering.
He joined the United States Navy in October of 1944 where he served as a Seaman
First Class during WWII. During the service, Tom was a US Navy Golden Gloves Boxer.
He was honorably discharged in October of 1948 and reenlisted again in 1951 where
he served during the Korean War.
On December 31, 1948, Tom was united in marriage to Donna Marie Coady in Des Moines,
Iowa. The couple lived in California until moving back to Des Moines in 1967.
In 1977 they moved to Flagler and in 1991 to Knoxville. He worked at the VA Medical
Center as a boiler plant operator until his retirement in 1988. Tom also had worked
for the A1 Ambulance Service and had been a dealer at Meskwaki Casino.
He was a member of the Prairie Meadows World Series of Poker, AFGE Stewart, Little League Coach, American Bowlers Association, Odd Fellows, Boy Scout Leader, and a past member of the American Legion and VFW. Tom enjoyed mushroom, pheasant, and grunion hunting, gardening, watching the races, and swimming. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially on holidays.
Tom passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna Clarke on March 31, 2011; and at the age of 84 years, a son, Bruce Coady Clarke on April 19, 1997.
He is survived by his children: Thomas Lee Roy Clarke, Jr. (Joyce) of Knoxville;
Cindy Kay Marshall (Russ) of King William, VA; Randy Ray Clarke (Linda) of Knoxville;
Carol Morine Reed (Mike VanNatta) of Knoxville and Brian Coady Clarke (Erin) of
Knoxville; 20 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren: siblings, Elizabeth Clark (Bob)
of Pekin, IL, William Clarke (Glena) of Knoxville; Irl Clarke Jr. (Esther) of Knoxville,
and many other family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial; St. Anthony Catholic Church – Knoxville, Iowa Tuesday,
February 28, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.; Father Stephen P. Ebel, Celebrant
Musical Selections :
Mary Burke, guitar/song leader:
“Daddy’s Hands”- Holly Dunn
“How Great Thou Art”
“Psalm 42 – As the Deer Longs”
“Old Rugged Cross” < /> “Lead Me Lord”
“Angels Among Us” – Alabama
Urn Bearers:
Dave Clarke
Dee Clarke
Dan Clarke
Ross Clarke
Bobby Reed
Coady Clarke
Brian
Coady Clarke
Ross Clarke
Honorary Urn Bearers:
Ryan Marshall
Jackson Clarke