John William Clarke, Sr. (USAF, RET.), 77, of Olive Branch, passed away Sunday September 19, 2010. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 Noon on Thursday, September 23, until the funeral services begin at 1:00 p.m., all at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch. Interment will follow in the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, with Full Air Force Honors. Born in Prairie, MS, John joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation from High school. He served his country for 20 years and retired in 1974. He then entered the printing business, with his brother Fred, and for 17 years he operated a Clarke’s Quick Print in the Memphis area. He was a longtime member and former Deacon of Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, and he was an avid fisherman. John was preceded in death by his parents, Fred D. and Annie Elizabeth Clarke, and his brother, Fred D. Clarke, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Dorothy Clarke; his daughter, Renita Herbst (Eric); 2 sons, John W. Clarke, Jr. (Debbie), and Gary W. Clarke (Tracy); 2 sisters, Mary Clyde Weeks and Margaret Ann Farmer; his brother, Robert H. Clarke (Betty);Sister-in-law Bobbie Clarke Leonard, and 9 grandchildren, Blake Herbst, Grant Herbst, Clarke Herbst, Brittany Allen (John), John W. Clarke, III, Matthew Clarke, Bethany Clarke, Madline Clark, and Gavin Clarke. Memorial contributions may be made to Longview Heights Baptist Church Building Fund.
Brantley Funeral Home
Olive Branch 662-895-2310
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