Edward Dessau Clarkson Jr.

June 25, 1930 – September 21, 2024

La Jolla, California

Edward Dessau Clarkson, Jr was born June 25, 1930, in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of Major Edward Dessau Clarkson, who authored a biography of local philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, and Cidney Jackson, whose family received its Pennsylvania farm land grants from William Penn.

Dessau attended local schools, graduating from La Jolla High School, Pomona College and UCLA Law School. Upon graduation from Pomona College, he was commissioned as an infantry lieutenant and served for two years of active duty. Assigned to the US Disciplinary Barracks at Lompoc, California, he served as the post athletic and recreational director, earning a citation for superior job performance upon his release from service.

Thereafter, he attended UCLA Law School. Upon graduation he worked at Luce Forward Kunzel and Scripps, then subsequently opened his own law office in La Jolla, where he practiced law until his retirement in 1990. In June 1964, he was admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court and Court of Military Appeals. He was a member of the US, California, San Diego and La Jolla Bar Associations. He was also a California Real Estate Broker and shareholder member of the La Jolla Real Estate Brokers Association. Together with his late brother, Stephen Holt Clarkson, and Clem Abrams, he developed several properties in La Jolla.

In 1958 he married Elizabeth Nora Dick, of Glendale. Together they shared a passion for athletic activities, and won the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club Husband/Wife tournament in 1965. In 1959, they led 20 American Youth Hostel members on a bicycle tour of 565 miles from Rockport to Santa Barbara. They also completed the Los Angeles Double Century (200 mile) Competition .

During his legal career, Dessau was an active civic leader. He served as president of the La Jolla Historical Society, La Jolla Symphony Association, La Jolla Tennis Club, La Jolla Optimist Club and La Jolla Visiting Nurse Association. He was also Staff Judge Advocate of the San Diego Chapter of the Military Association of the World Wars. He was an emeritus member of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club

Following active duty, Dessau served in the Army Reserves, graduating from three service branch schools. In 1961, the United Daughters of the Confederacy awarded him its Cross of Military Service as the direct descendant of Capt. Robert Holt Atkinson, who had served under General Robert E Lee. While assigned to the 6215th USAG in San Diego, he participated in forming a unit competitive pistol marksmanship squad. In 1967 and 1968, the squad won first place in XV Corps competition. Clarkson ranked as the third pistol shot in San Diego and routinely scored as an expert with the pistol, carbine and M-1 Rifle. His last assignment was as the commanding officer of the 81st JAG Detachment. He was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal in 1982, and retired in 1990.

Dessau was a lifelong competitive tennis player. He won his first tournament at age sixteen, and his last as an eighty-age division doubles player. He played for four years on the Pomona Varsity Team. Dessau’s wish was to acknowledge and thank the Kellogg Family for their early support of the La Jolla High tennis team by sharing their club facilities with the team at a time when the La Jolla High campus had only 2 courts, and also wished to acknowledge the La Jolla Tennis Club, a public facility at the La Jolla Recreation Center that gave the team equipment, financial support and scholarship assistance.

He and Elizabeth had 3 children, Heather Ryan (Spencer), Kimberley Hirschi (Richard) and Edward D. Clarkson III (Jody), 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Elizabeth passed away in 2003. At the age of 80, Dessau was fortunate enough to find a new companion in Olga Casey. They spent the past 14 years together.