Walter F “Fred” Clarke, 87, died peacefully at his home in Ponca City on Wed April 13, 2022. Fred was born in Ponca City OK on March 25, 1935, to John B “Jack” Clarke and Maude Garnett Clarke. He graduated from PoHi in 1953 and OSU in 1957, beginning his career in geology with the Humble Oil Co in TX before joining the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. Fred married Sara Jones, also of Ponca City, in 1961. They welcomed daughter Lee Anne in 1963 and son Drew in 1966. Fred’s Air Force career took them to many assignments around the country and the world, but the mountains of Colorado became “home”. Fred retired from the Air Force as Inspector General of the Space Command in 1987 - but, he never slowed down a bit, undertaking a Christian ministry for the elderly in and around Colorado Springs and pastoring at the Spring Valley Chapel near Larkspur CO.

Fred and Sara later moved to DeFuniak Springs FL, where she sadly passed away in 2005. Fred moved back to CO, and then to OK, where he married Fran Harsh Mathews, a fellow 1953 PoHi graduate. By this time their combined families numbered 16 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and in addition to spending as much time as possible with all of them, Fred continued his love of helping others via their church, Lions, etc. In the last year or 2 Fred’s health challenges reduced his ability to travel and volunteer but even then he and Fran could often be found helping out wherever needed, running to and fro, and reveling in the varied interests and exploits of their large combined family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sara Mae Jones Clarke, his parents, his sister, Jean and brothers, John and Warner.

He is survived by wife, Frances Mathews Clarke of Ponca City and family; daughter, Lee Anne Davis and husband, Kim, of Boulder, CO; granddaughters, Kara Davis of Truckee CA, Hanna Davis of Denver CO, and Haley Davis of Jefferson CO; son, Drew Clarke and wife, Beth, of New Iberia LA, and grandsons, Forrest Clarke of Waco TX and Zachary Clarke of New Iberia LA.

The family wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Fred’s caregivers including; Drs Wilcox, Puckett, and Shaw and their staff; the wonderful and compassionate nurses Rita, Susan, Jenni, Kim, and Whitnee. They would also like to thank caretakers Kim, Maria, TJ and Melissa; as well as, the extraordinary CNA, Carlena and chaplain Justin from Hospice of North Central OK, as well as Pastor Scott Melton of Northeast Baptist Church for their kindness and care for Fred in his time of need.

No viewing is planned at this time. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the Northeast Baptist Church, with Pastor Scott Melton officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, May 2, 2022, at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO.

The family request in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Fred’s memory to the Noon Lion’s Club, PO Box 532, Ponca City, OK, 74602. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Paid Obituary