John C. Clarke Sr.
John C. Clarke Sr. of Bradenton and formerly of Perico and Anna Maria islands died Sept. 27.
He was born July 20, 1934, to Kathryn (Dawson) and George M. Clarke Sr. in Baltimore, Maryland.
He attended Clifton Park Jr. High School and Baltimore City College, where he played baseball and football. Upon graduation in 1952, he entered Frostburg State Teachers College where he lettered in baseball, zoccer, basketball and tennis. He also coached the tennis team his senior year.
He married Catherine Spitznagel (Cass) in 1955. In 1956, he became a sixth-grade teacher at Perry Hall Elementary for the Baltimore County School System and also earned a masters Degree at Loyola College.
Mr. Clarke subsequently served as vice principle at Johnnycake Elementary in Woodlawn, Maryland, and Lansdowne Middle School. He was principle at Reisterstown Elementary for five years and retired in 1985 from Owings Mills Elementary.
After retirement, he spent his time between Abbington, Maryland, and Perico Bay Club and Anna Maria Island.
He was Maryland State Bowling Champion in 1974 and twice was senior state champion. At one time, both Clarke Sr. and his wife were state champions.
He was also an avid golfer and worked many years at Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Pennsylvania. He continued that love in Florida, working at Ironwood Golf Course and the Longboat Key Club for years.
He was a member of the Baltimore County Retired Teachers Assn. and the Maryland State Teachers Assn.
John moved to Freedom Village after his wife died and spent eight years with the new love of his life, Jan Coats.
Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church, 2850 75th St. W., Bradenton, with burial and celebration to follow. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Maryland State Teachers Assn.
Mr. Clarke is survived by son John Jr. and wife Jane Pratt of Holmes Beach and many nieces and nephews.