Ronald Lee Clarke

Born Ronald Lee Clarke to Kenneth Camp Clarke and Margery Elaine Daniels of Houston, Texas. The Clarke family relocated to Walnut Creek during the mid-1950s. Ron continued his education at Las Lomas High School, graduating in 1960. His flare for the arts and languages led him to pursue an education in the fine arts.

Texas born Clarke managed to crowd an impressive amount study and hard work in his young life. He was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the Hague, Netherlands. Prior academic studies were completed at the Literary Institute and the College of Fine Arts, both in London, England. Exhibitions of his work were held in Holland, France and England, as well as locally. His works were primarily in oil and pencil drawings

Upon his return to the states, he enlisted in the US Army. After serving three years, he returned to the Bay Area, set up a working art studio in “The Old Moraga Fire House”. He later pursued a 25-year career in the Bay Area Printing Industry. Upon his retirement, one of his greatest joys was tooling around town in his 1939 Ford pickup - they were connected fender to hip!

He met his future wife in 1972, a Minnesota farm girl, fell in love and married Jeanette Wanous in 1974. This South/North union was very harmonious. Many individual interests and activities were shared. Both loved to travel. Ron grew to enjoy vegetable gardening (he carried the beer) and became very adept in cooking and canning.

Ron leaves behind his wife, Jeanette; sister Norma Stubblefield of Pittsburg; brother Kenneth C. Clarke, II of Fernley NV; step mother Kathleen Clarke of New Castle Upon Tyne, England and many nieces and nephews too numerous to mention.

Ron will always live on in our hearts, never to be forgotten. He always had a smile, a kind word or two, and a couple of bucks for anyone who was a little short.

Private services will be held pursuant to his request.