Alvin Roy Clarke Jr.

Alvin Roy Clarke Jr. was born March 7, 1925 in Memphis, Tenn., to Alvin Roy Clarke Sr. and Rosa Drew Perkins Clarke. He was the grandson of John E. and Rose Clarke of Marion, Ark. Alvin graduated in 1943 from Marion High School. He was a member of the Marion High School football, baseball, and basketball teams. He later attended the University of Arkansas. After graduating high school, Alvin enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country during WWII and returned to Marion, Ark., where he met the love of his life, Joan Green. Alvin and Joan were married in 1947 and lived in Marion, Ark., raising three children, Margaret Drew, Alvin Roy III, and John Elton. Alvin was a dedicated employee of Arkansas Power and Light, joining in 1947 and retired almost 40 years later. He was a valued associate and was awarded the President's Award in 1984 for saving the life of a fellow coworker. Alvin was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan in 1973. He continued to live and work in eastern Arkansas until 1986 when he retired to Cherokee Village, Ark., where he resided until 2005. He moved to be with his family in Bentonville, Ark., where he lived his remaining years watching his three grandchildren enjoy life. His favorite times were spent watching his grandson, Jackson, play baseball and soccer. He marveled at his granddaughter, Elizabeth Joan, grow into a beautiful young lady. He taught his youngest granddaughter, Laura Katherine to use the duck call at a young age of two. Alvin was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors and bull riding. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, American Legion, VFW, and the NRA. Alvin converted to Catholicism in 1999. He was a true gentleman, a loyal friend, a loving father and an adoring grandfather. Alvin was also preceded in death by a second wife of over 15 years, Vivian Braden Clarke. He is survived by four children: his daughter, Margaret Drew Clarke (Memphis, Tenn.), his middle son, Alvin Roy Clarke III (Bentonville, Ark.), his stepson, Nicholas Randall Moore III of Little Rock, Ark., and his youngest son, John Elton Clarke and wife Caroline Schallhorn Clarke (Bentonville, Ark.). He had three grandchildren, Jackson, Elizabeth Joan, and Laura Katherine Clarke. Alvin had many friends around the state, but he shared his most fond memories with his best friend, Norman Smith of Shelby Forest, Tenn. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Mollie Fontaine House (679 Adams Ave., Memphis, Tenn.). A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.