F.B. Clarke

F.B. Clarke, 88, of Baker City, died Feb. 26 at his home. A funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral with Father Julian Cassar officiating. A reception at the church will follow.

Mr. Clarke was born Jan. 2, 1918, to John L. and Ila Stauffer Clarke in Boulder, Colo. He attended school in Benton, Ill., and worked in the New Orient Mine No. 2. He served in the Army during World War II as a liaison pilot, and in Korea where he was an advisor with XXIV Air Corps. He married 1st Lt. Zona M. Parker of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps Aug. 17, 1947.

They grew wheat at Wingville, and during the winter he worked at Levinger Rexall Drugs. In 1970, he bought an insurance agency, now Clarke and Clarke Insurance. After his retirement, the couple joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Katmandu, Nepal.
He was a gifted carpenter and enjoyed building projects, and especially being with his family.

Survivors include his wife of Baker City; children and their spouses, Vicki and Glen Herman and Patti and Ray Stinnett, all of La Grande, Terri and Kevin Bell, Tabor and Dee Dee Clarke, Nelson and Amy Clarke and Michael and Kim Clarke, all of Baker City; a sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Tom Hunter of Benton, Ill.; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and other relatives. A brother, John A. Clarke, died earlier.