Thomas Hal Clarke

Thomas Hal Clarke, native Atlantan, was born on August 10, 1914 and died November 1, 2015, the third son and sixth child of Mary Cox DeSaussure Clarke and James Caleb Clarke, prominent lawyer. He graduated from Boys High School, attended Washington and Lee University, and graduated in 1938 from Washington and Lee University Law School. Deciding to pursue a Diplomatic Career, he attended the Manix Walker School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. and served in the office of the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto, Canada, but after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the U.S. Naval Reserve and received his Officer’s training at Princeton University. He was then posted as Communications Officer to the newly commissioned LST373 which sailed for Europe and participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy, and was at Normandy at H-hour on D-day.

After the war in Europe wound down, Mr. Clarke was sent back to the U.S. and then to Shanghai, China in the Judge Advocate General’s office where he remained until the end of WWII.

On returning to Atlanta, he established with friend Paul H. Anderson, the firm of Clarke and Anderson with Walter McElreath of Counsel. Growing over the years, the firm was joined by Stephens Mitchell, brother of Margaret Mitchell becoming Mitchell, Clarke, Pate and Anderson.

Mr. Clarke specialized in Real Property and Savings and Loan law and in 1969 was appointed by President Nixon to be the Democratic Member of the 3 member board of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Washington, D.C. His signal achievement was to move the Federal Home Loan Bank of Greensboro to a more central location in Atlanta, which offered the ability to work directly with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Returning to Atlanta in 1973, he rejoined his firm and continued his law practice as well as serving with Paul Anderson and Herbert Elsas as Copyright Trustees of Gone with the Wind, positions which Stephens Mitchell created for them to succeed him.

Mr. Clarke was active over the years in the Atlanta, Georgia, American, and International Bar Associations and as President of the Atlanta Bar Association as well as President of the Old Warhorse Lawyer’s Club. He was Chairman of the Corporate Section of the American Bar Association and later as Section Delegate to the House of Delegates. He was instrumental in founding the International Bar Association Building Society Committee and served as its Chairman.

Active also in many Civic Organizations, Mr. Clarke was President and Chairman of the Atlanta Historical Society, The Atlanta Branch of the English Speaking Union and the Ansley Park Civic Association. An active alumnus of Washington and Lee University, he served on the Law Council, the Alumni Board and as a Trustee of the University. He was also a past member of the Board of Visitors of Emory University.

Mr. Clarke was a member of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C., a founding member of the Commerce Club and member of the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta.

A Presbyterian, Mr. Clarke was ordained an Elder in 1959 and at the time of his death was an Elder Emeritus of Christ Church Presbyterian.

In 1951, Mr. Clarke married the former Mary Louise Hastings who survives him. He is also survived by three children: Hal Clarke, Jr. and wife, Nan; Katie Clarke Hamilton, and husband Bill; and Becky Clarke Morrison and husband, Ralph; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

While traveling in Ireland in the mid 1960’s, the Clarke family saw Kilfane House, an historic country house near Thomastown in the County Kilkenny. Part of a contested estate, it had sat empty many years and was in danger of demolition. In the early 1970’s Mr. Clarke, as a non-Irish citizen, was permitted to bid when the house and acreage was auctioned. So began the restoration and slowly house, andgrounds were brought into order. He was never happier than when riding on his tractor mowing the extensive lawns or pulling grandchildren in the little blue wagon.

Mr. Clarke participated in many of the local interests including membership in the Kilkenny Archeological Society, Friends of St. Canices Cathedral, the Tulleherin Heritage Society, KilfaneChurch and others. But closest to his heart was the Kilfane Handball Club to which he donated for their use the land on which it stood, as well as the Trophy for the Hal Clarke Cup. The Clarkes were also summer members of the Kilkenny Presbyterian church.

A service will be held on Friday, November 6, at Patterson’s Spring Hill Chapel, The Rev. Al LaCour and the Rev. Pete Jackson officiating. Pallbearers will be Mr. Clarke’s six grandsons: Toby, Charlie and Robbie Clarke, Caleb Hamilton and Ragan and Clarke Morrison. Honorary Pallbearers are Paul H. Anderson, Dave Williams, Steve Unti and Bill Holberg. A visitation will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday as well as 7:30 to 9:00 PM Thursday November 5, both at Patterson’s Spring Hill.

Special thanks are extended to the "Visiting Angels" who took such thoughtful care of Mr. Clarke during his illness: Beatrice Peterson, Yolanda Williams, Veronica Burnice, and Deborah Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Church Presbyterian, 1740 Peachtree St. Atlanta 30309, Washington and Lee University, Reformed Theological Seminary of Atlanta or to the charity of your choice.