David Hobson Clarke was born May 27, 1921 in American Fork, Utah. He died December 11, 2013 in Provo, Utah. David was the eleventh child of James H. Clarke and Bertha Jackson Clarke. He attended elementary and junior high school in American Fork prior to graduating from American Fork High School. He was a good athlete and a talented musician.
He met Dorothy Anderson at a dance at the Coconut Grove in Salt Lake City the night he enlisted in the Navy. They dated all three nights until he left for active duty. He served for more than three years during World War II and attained the rank of Motor Machinist First Class. He was on active patrol on the submarine USS Hoe in the Pacific for thirteen months.
He and Dorothy corresponded while he was in the Navy and were married shortly after his return. They were married sixty-six years until Dorothy's death in 2012. They lived in a lovely home with a large and beautiful garden in Sugar House for fifty-six of those years. At the age of 86, he fell off the second story roof of his house while attempting to repair his swamp cooler and was seriously injured. His incredible willpower led to a miraculous recovery. He and Dorothy then moved to a one-story condo in Orem, Utah.
David was a generous man, quite shy and unassuming. His intelligence, mechanical skill, and wisdom vastly exceeded his formal education. He was, in every sense, one of the "Greatest Generation." He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Whenever his great-grandchildren visited him, he became twenty years younger and assumed his favorite role as "Grandpa the Lion!"
His wife, Dorothy, and son David L. precede him in death. He is survived by his son Darral "Pete" (Vicki) Clarke and daughter Donna Sue (Quinn) Parker. He has nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 20th at 11 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy, Utah. Viewing from 10 to 11 am. Online condolences can be sent to www.larkincares.com.
