John Cleveland Clarke, Jr.

CLARKE, John C., Jr., age 91 of Brooksville, died Friday, December 11, 2015 at HPH Hospice Care Center.  Mr. Clarke was born in New Tazewell, Tennessee, and was valedictorian of the Bland County High School graduating class of 1941. He attended Hiawassee College, then was called to join the U.S. Army during WWII.  Mr. Clarke further trained at Syracuse University Engineering School before being assigned as combat engineer to the Infantry Division for the Invasion of Europe where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and then completed the European Campaign.  He retired as a computer system analyst for the Los Angeles Times, was a member of the V.F.W. of Spring Hill, member of Brooksville Wesleyan Church and loved to play golf.  Survivors include his wife: Kathleen; brother & sister-in-law:  Leon & Florence Clarke of Chilhowe, Virginia; nephews:  Alan S. Ruble of Retreat, Virginia and Randolph L. Ruble of of Meadowview, Virginia.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John C. Clarke, Sr. and Daisy Percival Clarke; sister, Helen Faye Clarke; brother, Rev. Robert E. Clarke; nephew, Steven E. Clarke and nieces, Linda Faye Ruble and Joylyn Robin Clarke. Visitation for friends will be 10 – 11am, Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Brooksville Wesleyan Church, where funeral services will begin at 11:00am with Dr. William Burbury and Rev. Dick Williams officiating.  Military honors will follow at 1:30pm at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

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