Wilbern Rucker Clarke Jr.

CLARKE, W. Rucker, Jr. Wilbern Rucker Clarke, Jr., entered peacefully into the presence of Christ on May 23, 2011, joining his beloved wife, Ann, who died in February of this year. Rucker was born in Atlanta, Georgia July 6, 1922 to Rosalba (Rose) Owens Spencer Clarke and Wilbern Rucker Clarke, Sr. He grew up in College Park, Georgia attending College Park Methodist Church. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the Navy Air Cadet program and became a certified single-engine pilot with Navy wings, USMCR. During World War II, he served as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot in the Pacific Theatre, including the locations of Mindinau and Rabaul, flying Douglas Dauntless SBD dive bombers in squadrons VMSB243 and VMSB236. He survived serious aircraft damage in several dive bombing runs, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning to the U.S., He served in the Marine Corps Reserves, flying F4U Corsairs and Douglas AD Skyraiders in the Atlanta squadron. In 1948, he earned a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Emory University. He married Ann Thornton Hale, also of College Park, in 1946. In the 1960s, he and his family moved to Bon Air, Virginia, where they became active members of Bon Air United Methodist Church. Rucker worked as an account executive with Merrill-Lynch, retiring from them and moving to Dean Witter, from which he also later retired. Rucker enjoyed lifelong friendships with his Marine compatriots, attending regular squadron reunions. He was an avid, lifelong student of history, geography, and sociology and lover of classical music. Ruckerís insightful writing ability was shared with and enjoyed by friends and family. He and Ann were married for 64 years. He is survived by his daughter, Ann Armor of Richmond; son, Lee of Ashburn, Va.; granddaughter, Sarah Terrell of Georgia; grandson, Spencer Clarke of Texas; and siblings, Rose Marie Hood and Robert Spencer (Bob) Clarke, of Fayetteville, Ga.; Charles Richard (Dick) Clarke, of Newnan, Ga.; and Elizabeth Ann Muzio of Akron, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Baird Clarke of Atlanta. Rucker will be remembered as a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather who gave of himself to his country and his family without reservation. His remains rest at the Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (today). A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Children's Shelter of Atlanta, in memory of his son Richard. Online condolences to woodyfuneralhome .com.