David Roy Clarke Sr.'s Obituary
David Roy Clarke, Sr. (1929 – 2022)
David Roy Clarke, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully at home, in Orangevale CA, on May 11, 2022. Dave was born
on October 26, 1929 in Burlington, NJ to George and Kathryn Clarke. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1947 at
the age of 17. After spending 17-weeks at Lackland AFB in San Antonio Texas for his training, he was then
deployed to Germany for the occupation. He was a jack of all trades and had numerous duties that included
guarding captured German military equipment such as Messerschmidt airplanes and weapons. He then
traveled from southern Germany to the northern region of the country installing Ground Control Approach
(GCA) equipment for the allied support of landing aircraft. In 1948 the Soviets started the Berlin blockade and
he was deployed to various locations to support the Berlin Airlift, for which he received the Medal for Humane
Action. In 1950 the Korean war broke out and troops were pulled from Germany to deploy to Korea, however
Dave remained stationed in Germany. In 1953 he was re-deployed back to the States and stationed at Tinker
Air Force Base in Oklahoma. During this time the Army Air Corps split into two branches - the Army and the
Air Force. Dave was reassigned to the Air Force and stationed at Travis AFB, CA, where he completed his
military service in July of 1954.
While at Travis AFB, he frequently traveled to West Sacramento where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Jean
Hopper, who became his wife in 1955. They settled in Orangevale in 1962 and together raised five children.
After leaving the military, Dave worked for the railroad and was a member of the Teamsters Union. He found
his true profession with the local Cement Masons Union where he completed his apprenticeship and later, as
a journeyman, taught classes for the apprenticeship school. A cement finisher’s profession is seasonal so he
had other jobs to supplement for winter work. He did landscape work around commercial buildings, collected
truckloads of cardboard to sell it at the Keys-Fiber paper recycling plant, and worked for Canteen Services
restocking and repairing vending machines. He was also part owner of a gas station on Folsom Boulevard in
Rancho Cordova and later owned a gas station on Fair Oaks Boulevard and Marconi Avenue in Carmichael. He
worked all of these jobs after hours while doing full-time concrete work or when concrete work was slow. In
later years he worked part time jobs at gas stations as an attendant. He retired from concrete work in 1986
but continued to work part time for the Folsom Cordova School District as a maintenance man and for Folsom
Lock and Key. Additionally, Dave volunteered with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department and later served as a
level 2 Reserve Officer. He always worked hard and did whatever was necessary to provide a good life for his
family.
Dave joined Tehama #3 Masonic Lodge in Sacramento, California in 1966. Over the years he influenced many
other men to join the fraternity. In the early 1980’s his oldest sons, David R. Clarke, Jr. and James D. Clarke,
Sr., joined Natoma Lodge #64 in Folsom, CA and prompted him to take a dual membership. In 1982 when his
youngest son, Robert N Clarke, joined Foothill Chapter Order of DeMolay in Folsom, CA, Dave became the Dad
Advisor of the Chapter. At that time Foothill Chapter was rebuilding, having less than 10 members. Dave
helped to build the membership to over fifty young men by recruiting a dedicated Advisory Board of Natoma
Lodge Brothers who would be role models to guide the young men in learning about responsibility, dedication,
and brotherly love. In 2007 his grandson James D. Clarke, Jr. became the third generation of the family to
become a Master Mason in Natoma Lodge. For over 30 years Dave served Natoma Lodge as a member of the
Hall Association, picnic committee member, cook, janitor, and even handyman; never seeking recognition
because, in his words, “…that’s just what Brothers do”. For his years of commitment to Natoma Lodge and the
Masonic Youth Orders, Dave was honored with the Hiram award on April 7, 2016 – the same day he was
awarded his 50-year Masonic Membership Golden Veterans Award.
Dave enjoyed talking to just about everyone about anything, especially topics involving sports or politics. He
was an enthusiastic amateur radio operator (WA6PFS) since the early 1970’s. He really enjoyed talking to
other HAMs all over the world. Dave was a lifelong lover of sports, especially baseball, and really enjoyed
watching the San Francisco Giants. He spent many years as an umpire for local Little Leagues and at the High
School level. Dave was always interested in technology and paid his bills online with bill pay, checked his email
and his Facebook page daily up until the week he passed at 92 ½ years old.
Dave was preceded in death by his loving wife Bonnie (2007) and is survived by his five children; Nancy Ann
Caratti (Mike), David Roy Clarke, Jr. (Sylvia), James DeWitt Clarke (Patricia), Linda Jean Galland (Steve), and
Robert N Clarke (Amy). He had 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. For the last 11 years of his life,
Dave enjoyed the companionship of his girlfriend Kathy LaSalle.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service to celebrate his life on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at
10:00 am at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95838. Interment to
follow at Sunset Lawn Memorial Park, same location.
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?
