May 31, 1945 – June 2, 2024
Ralph Clarke passed peacefully June 2 in Redding, California at age 79. He was born in Glendale, California to Ethel and Roger Clarke. He grew up in the La Crescenta and San Fernando valleys and earned his associate in arts degree at Pierce College. He worked at his parents’ flying school, Roger Clarke Air Service in Van Nuys, California, soloed on his 16th birthday and went on to obtain his private pilot’s license.
During his Navy years, Ralph served on the Banner — sister ship to the ill-fated Pueblo. The Pueblo’s mission was intended for the Banner, but a last minute change sent the Pueblo in its place. Ralph was able to tell us more about those days in North Korean waters after 50+ years had passed. He said he was intimidated by the North Koreans, but typhoons were more terrifying. The youngest of three brothers who served in the Navy, Ralph was honorably discharged in 1972.
Following military service, Ralph went to Sitka, Alaska and worked the salmon fishing boats where he encountered yet more stormy ocean waters. Upon returning to California, he worked for Innes Signs and became a skilled sign artist. His work still stands everywhere he has lived. And, like his father, he was a great craftsman with wood. He built furniture and cabinets for many friends and family members.
In 1974, he moved to Lakehead, California where he worked at Antlers Marina on Lake Shasta for 17 years. When he moved to Carbondale in 1994, he worked for the Town’s recreation department. In 2008, the Town presented him with a proclamation stating, “Ralph Clarke is retiring after 14 years of excellent service in the care and preservation of our parks and recreation facilities, including perfect grooming of the summer rodeo grounds and even enduring sub-zero mornings at the winter ice rink. No one can fix things and make things run smoothly like Ralph, who has always taken immense pride and care in his work. And we proclaim the town is a far better place for his outstanding good work and service.”
Ralph returned to Lakehead, California to spend his final years at his beautiful home in the woods. During that time he perfected the delicate art of origami. He was befriended by genuine angels from the local American Legion Auxiliary who are true to their creed to leave no man behind. A fine artist like his mother and true craftsman like his father, everyone knew him as a kind, sensitive, generous and a wholly reliable person. He is sorely missed.
Ralph is survived by his sister, Kay Clarke (Doc) of Carbondale; sister-in-law, Melinda St Pierre of Palm Desert, California; nephew, Jim St Pierre (Claudine) of Huntington Beach, California; and niece, Terry St Pierre of Clatskanie, Oregon; plus three great nephews and two grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Roger Clarke, and brothers, Skip and Ron St Pierre.
A memorial with full military honors will take place July 12 at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, California. In his memory, Ralph would want us to honor veterans whenever the opportunity arises. And to be kind to cats.