Services to celebrate his life will be held 10:00 am Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at the funeral home.

Ronald Louis Clarke’s life was completed in this world on July 21, 2017. He passed away at his residence with his family by his side, at the age of 79. Ron was a lifetime native of Oklahoma City. He graduated from Central High School active as a Redshirt, President of the Jeffersonian Debating Society and the Honor Society. He later attended the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University. He spent his career in the creative world, first as a commercial artist and designer and later graduating to audiovisual, marketing, advertising and coordinator of meetings, musical shows and various creative projects. He worked for the Oklahoman in various creative capacities for over 43 years. He was active in numerous organizations through his life. He was an Eagle Scout by the age of 15 an avid camper and later camp employee and adult leader of a Journalism Post. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow and Alpha Phi Omega Scouting Fraternity. Ron had an intense interest in Downtown Oklahoma City. At different times in his career, he was active with the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Audio Visual Council, as Chairman of the Committee of Chambers of Commerce of the Unassigned Lands during the Run of ’89 Centennial and helped coordinate several Annual Banquets and celebrations. He was a 20 year Board member for Downtown Now and Marketing volunteer for DowntownOKC, Inc., and regularly participated in Downtown’s 4th of July and December Festival of Lights activities. He led The Oklahoma’s float volunteers in Oklahoma City Parades for over 15 years. He was a one time volunteer Public Relations Chairman with the United Appeal of Oklahoma City, at various times served on projects for the Red Cross, Oklahoma City Beautiful and YMCA, Heritage Hall, Memorial Marathon, City in Pink, Oklahoma City Zoo, and other organizations. Ron advanced through the chairs of the International Newspaper Promotion Association, serving as President of the Southern Region and as an International Board member. During the same time he won creative recognition for achievement in the Editor and Publisher Promotion Awards and The Oklahoma City Advertising Club Addy Awards. He was a 40 year veteran of The Oklahoma State fair managing The Oklahoman’s Fair Building from 1964 and as Executive Producer of The Oklahoman’s musical shows from 1984-2005. Ron felt his greatest success, however, was his 50+ year marriage and relationship with his wife Pat and their achievement in producing two talented and successful children with successful families of their own.

Ron is survived by his wife Pat, two sisters Beverly Clarke of Oklahoma City and Sharon Michel of Vancouver, Washington, her daughters Nicole and Stephanie; Two children: a daughter, Teresa Clarke Bidwell of Windsor, Colorado, her husband Clint, their son Michael, Wesley and wife Brenna, and a son, Darin Lee Clarke of Oklahoma City with his wife Jeannie and daughters Julie and Kristen.

Ron liked to travel, especially to London, England and Disney World or Disneyland making numerous trips to each. Some of his most cherished memories involved Disney related family reunions and one on one trips through the parks with his son and daughter. He loved computers, gardening and built over 30 scale-model wood and plastic sailing ships he kept on display in his garage. He completed a long and satisfying life and left a heritage of treasured family and friends.

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