Richard Clarke

Richard (Dick) Douglas Clarke died on September 7, 2026, after a short and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Gail; three sons, Rich (Suzanne), Mike (Karen), and Scott (Dixie); thirteen grandchildren, Madeleine, Will, Christian (Mo), Allison (Brian), Ryan (Beth), David, Ben, Cate, Joshua, Foster, Matt, Avery, and Faith; and six great-grandsons. He is also survived by two brothers, Dennis of Martinsburg, WV, and Don of Tuscaloosa, AL. His family was his greatest pride and joy.

Dick was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia, a small town that shaped his character and instilled in him a lifelong sense of duty, community, and faith. It was there that he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and spent his summers working at a Boy Scout Camp — experiences that laid the foundation for a life of service. It was also in Martinsburg that he met and courted the love of his life, Gail, a chapter that would define him more than any other.

Dick graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at West Point, he played on the 150-pound football team and was selected as an All-Conference player his senior year. He went on to serve his country as an Airborne, Ranger, Infantry Soldier for over 23 years. His military service included two tours in Vietnam, two tours in Germany (including three years in West Berlin), and two tours on the staff and faculty at West Point. His military awards included the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Soldier’s Medal, the Bronze Star with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and thirteen Air Medals, including one for Valor. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Tulane University following his service in Vietnam.

After military retirement, Dick worked for over 25 years with companies providing contracted services to the federal government, including two years as project manager for a Navy contract at Barking Sands on the island of Kauai.

He was an avid golfer, consistently shooting his age or better, and deeply valued the camaraderie of the 911 Golf Gang over the past 30 years.

Dick’s church was his happy place — a place to worship his Lord and serve his fellow man. At Carteret Street United Methodist Church, he served as a lay speaker, delivering messages of faith during Advent, Lent, and on Memorial Day. He was blessed to travel on missionary trips building schools, churches, and a dental clinic in Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. He served as President of the United Methodist Men. One of his greatest joys was initiating an at-home Communion Service, bringing the sacrament monthly to some 20 members who could no longer attend church service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dick’s memory be made to Help of Beaufort at helpofbeaufort.org/donate.