Owen Leslie Lawrence Clarke
October 25, 1920 - February 2, 2014
Obituary
Owen Leslie Lawrence Clarke, 93, of Des Moines WA died peacefully after a short illness surrounded by his family on 02/02/2014.
Owen was born in Grays, Essex, England on October 25, 1920 to Stanley and Mildred Clarke. He is preceded in death by his wife Lois, 1 brother Stanley Jr. and 5 sisters, Dora, Thelma, Eileen, Vera, and Kathleen. He is survived by 5 daughters, 3 son-in-laws and 4 grandchildren. He also has many great, and great, great nieces and nephews.
As a boy, he and his family lived in various towns around London. When he was 11 he entered a poetry reading contest, to the chagrin of his friends, but to the delight of his Mum and Dad, and WON to the amazement of everyone.
After graduating from school, Owen held various jobs including a bookkeeper for the Cunard Shipping Line and apprenticing as a carpenter. In 1938, Owen joined the RAF (Royal Air Force) and spent time in Canada, Italy, France, Egypt, and the Northern African Campaign led by Bernard Montgomery of the British Commonwealth forces during World War II. Canada was where he met his first wife Alda, who sadly passed away shortly after the birth of their daughter, Marilyn.
In 1950, Owen met Lois who worked at Boots Chemist in Luton and married on March 29, 1952 at the Luton Parish Church. Their 62nd anniversary would have taken place next month. Owen and Lois lived in Luton and continued growing their family of daughters adding Susan, Beverley and Nicola. During those years, he had his own successful cabinet making and general carpentry business. In June of 1962 the family immigrated to America. They lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin where they built a family home and the family grew by 1 more daughter, Lesley, for a total of 5. .
In June of 1967 the family moved to Des Moines, WA where once again Owen and Lois built a family home that continued to be the hub of family activities to this day. This home overlooks Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Owen worked for a short time for Boeing but later was hired by King County where he stayed until 1997 when he retired as their Skilled Trades Manager
Soccer was truly one of his loves and he enjoyed anything to do with the game. Owen spent many weekends watching his daughters and grandchildren play soccer. He was the President of the Seattle Sounders Booster Club in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
As his daughters grew and married, he was overjoyed with the birth of each of his 4 grandchildren; Kevin , Kiara , Erika and John. He loved spending time with them visiting, attending school functions, watching soccer games, ballet recitals, and “scouting” events. His grandson Kevin achieved recognition as an Eagle Scout.
Owen loved to read, especially books authored by John Grisham. He also enjoyed history and non-fiction. He loved to be surrounded by family and friends, and enjoyed a good meal, and a good glass of merlot.
He will forever be in our hearts, and will be deeply missed
Comfort, healing, blessings and much love to all.
My love to you all at this very sad time. ‘ Father’ Owen had such a joy for life and that legacy will live on in all of you,
Much love Cousin San xxx