Alfred Richard Clarke

Alfred Richard "Dick" Clarke was born in 1939 in Milford, MA, to the late Edward Willis Clarke, Sr., and Mary Ann Iannetti Clarke. As a young boy, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cars. To earn spending money he worked hard delivering papers, milk, and blocks of ice. At seventeen, he joined the Navy. A few years later, he met the love of his life, Mary, and they married in 1963. As a sailor based out of Norfolk, Dick advanced from Seaman Recruit to CWO4 in the Supply Corps. He proudly served his country aboard multiple ships, touring Europe and the Atlantic Basin over twenty-four years.

After retiring from the Navy in 1978 and a brief stint at CACI, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Management Consulting, Inc. (MANCON) in 1983. Through his vision, determination, and tireless efforts, along with those of his dedicated staff, MANCON grew over the next twenty years to operate in forty states with hundreds of employees, providing logistics support to military and federal customers nationwide.

Not content with founding just one business, Dick, inspired by his passion for showing Airedale Terriers and love of pets, identified a need for better quality supplies in the dog show industry. He began selling supplies at local dog shows and eventually expanded to a local store. Since 1988, Care-A-Lot Pet Supply has grown to four stores in the Hampton Roads area, offering pet supplies, grooming, daycare and boarding services for all pet owners.

In the early 2000s, Dick transitioned his businesses to his sons and set out to explore North America. Over the next decade, Dick and Mary traveled in their RV with their dogs, visiting places from the polar bears in Hudson Bay to the depths of Copper Canyon in Mexico, and from the Pacific Northwest to the Florida Keys.

Dick Clarke was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Clarke, and his son, Ronald Clarke. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Rick (and wife Connie) and Bobby (and wife Denise); his brothers, Edward (wife Lucille) and Kenneth; seven grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

In accordance with his wishes, his services will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, Norfolk SPCA or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, all of which hold a special meaning to Dick and his family. Please visit his webpage at www.woodlawnnorfolk.com to share a photo, memory or story of Dick with his family.