Richard Seymour Clarke

Rick was born in Tucson, AZ at Tucson Medical Center on February 8, 1946. He spent his childhood years on his parents Dan W. Clarke and Virginia L. Clarke's farm, Mission Valley Farms and attended Pueblo High School graduating  in 1964. He was an avid athlete receiving varsity letters in football, basketball and swimming.

He then enrolled in the University of Arizona on a football scholarship and became a loyal Wildcat. In 1965 Rick joined the US Navy becoming a corpsman serving in Vietnam. He was wounded saving several soldiers and awarded the prestigious Purple Heart and Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in 1968. He was a proud soldier who loved his country which he demonstrated in everything he did throughout his lifetime.

After he was discharged from the Navy Rick received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona College of Agriculture in Entomology in 1972. He then moved to Casa Grande, AZ and started AG Check with partner, Dick Chandler. They sprayed crops over the southern part of Arizona, until the farmers started selling off their land to home builders.

Eventually, Rick moved back to Tucson, where he successfully began a new career in building residential custom homes, Mission Valley Builders, Inc. in both Tucson and Pinetop, Arizona where he also spent many holidays with family and friends in the home he built as a second home.

His passions are many, he was a loyal supporter of Arizona Wildcats Club in both football and basketball, he enjoyed snow skiing, gardening, and most of all spending time with his five beloved grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Rick is survived by his loving wife Carol Clarke (Morris), three siblings, Daniel W. Clarke, James B. Clarke (Carol), and Peggy C. Kelly (Jim), his daughters Krista L. Westmoreland (Bil) and Jennifer L. Monteleone (Gary) and five grandchildren, Mason and Summer Westmoreland, Matthew, Austin and Colton Thacker and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to be made to The Wounded Warriors Project.

Richard will be laid to rest following military honors and burial on August 14, 2025 at 11:00am at The Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 15950 N Luckett Rd, Marana, AZ 85653.

After the burial a Celebration of Life will held from 12:00pm-2:00pm August 14, 2025 at Marana Mortuary Cemetery, 12146 W Barnett Rd, Marana, AZ 85653.