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Douglas Clarke Obituary
Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Genesis United Methodist Church, 7635 S. Hulen. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home.
Graveside service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, College Mound Cemetery in Kaufman County.
Pallbearers: Zachary Clarke, Robert Bohler, Powell Bohler, Steve Crossett, Sam Stevens, Dudley Farmer, Jon McConal, Kevin McConal, Chris Sorah.
Memorials: Genesis United Methodist Church or National Kidney Foundation.
Clarke was born March 1, 1939, in Dallas. He graduated from North Texas State with a master's degree in journalism. He began his newspaper career at the Corsicana Sun in 1962, and went to work at the Star-Telegram as a police reporter in 1964.
He became night city editor, a feature writer and wrote a gun column. He was named civilian spokesman for the Fort Worth Police Department in the early 1980s.
After leaving the city he returned to the Star-Telegram as a relief obituary writer for several years.
Following a parallel academic pathway, he taught journalism at TCJC, Southwestern Adventist University in Keene and, most recently, TCU. He had almost completed work on a doctorate at the time of his death.
A large, imposing man, Clarke resembled a detective to some, and in covering crime scenes for the newspaper was on occasion met by criminal suspects who blurted out confessions.
He was married 43 years to Judith Faires Clarke. The most important things in his life were his family, football, hunting and teaching. He enjoyed dancing and country-western music.
He was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, the National Rifle Association, the American Civil Liberties Union and Genesis United Methodist Church.
Survivors: Wife, Judith Ann Clarke; son, Zachary Trimble Clarke; daughter, Jennifer Reagan Clarke; numerous cousins, including Edna Pearl Moazzami, William Robert Rosser, with whom he spent much of his childhood; aunts, Elizabeth Knee and Lillian Rosser.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Clarke
Arlie Austin
August 11, 2024
Doug was a Great Guy, very jovial, he went with me and my Father on an Elk Hunt in Colorado, I got can Elk and Doug took the picture and wrote a Star Telegram article on our hunt, he was alot of fun and very good friend!
isabel halsey
January 27, 2008
i remember the twinkle in his eye when he had a good point to make, always the teacher, from a fellow teacher, Isabel Halsey
with love to Judy and Jennifer
Zoila Light
February 5, 2007
Judy, there is so many things that we are here to learn and every experience is a new lesson that has us grow my view of Douglas is that he is having a wonderfull time in his new life and for me to honor him is a very special experience
I love you Judy and may God be with you and your children, I will pray for peace in your life..
Mark Thompson
February 5, 2007
To Doug's family:
I first met Doug nearly 30 years ago, during my first trip to Fort Worth from my new job in the Star-Telegram's Washington bureau. He was a kind man and a solid reporter. As I reflect back on my visits, my favorites times included lunch with Doug downtown, listening to him telling stories of Texas newspapering of yore. The tales were equal parts facts and fascinating. Some fiction, too, I'm sure. Giving his willingness to share, it seems only fitting that he became a teacher. We laughed over that fact during our final conversation not too long ago. As others have mentioned, he had a laugh you couldn't forget. I'm smiling now, thinking of it, and hope you know that all the smiles he sprinkled around will serve as a key part of his legacy. Godspeed, Doug.
Isabel Halsey
February 1, 2007
Judy and Jennifer, I am so lucky to have known all of you. I remember Doug and his sense of humor and wit. I will always remember him. He made a difference for so many. you are in my thoughts and prayers. Isabel Halsey
Marilyn Ansley Carter
February 1, 2007
Judy, It has been over 23 years since I have been in contact with you and Doug, Jennifer and Zack. Judy and I were "sisters" in the same Beta Sigma Phi group and at the same time sold real estate in the same office under Pamela Fielder. In 1983 when my mother died suddenly in Waco, it was Judy and Doug that took my 10 yr. old daughter in to their home for several days while I attended my moms affairs. At some point after that I lost track of Judy and Doug Clarke but I never forgot them.
Doug was a kind man, a fun person to socialize with at our sorority and real estate functions. I know he is rejoicing in heaven with the angels. My daughter went to heaven in 1998 and I know she was there to welcome him in. If you need anything at all, Judy, please contact me by email. Your BSP sister,
James Zwilling
January 30, 2007
I had the great fortune of having many great professors while attending TCU, and I'll admit that after my first hour-long class with Doug, I wasn't quite sure he was going to be one of them. But after just a few classes, some funny and poignant stories, he'd won me over. Doug tought me more about reporting and the life of a reporter than anyone else. When I tell my story of the journalism education I received at TCU, Doug never fails to make the lead. My sincere condolences to the family. I know it's easy to think about what we've lost, but I think instead I'll choose to remember all that I gained from Doug ... a fine man indeed.
Carol Pevsner
January 30, 2007
Judy - I was so sorry to hear that Doug passed away. I somehow had a feeling something had happened. Please know that I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know you all will miss him so much. Love
Art Chapman
January 30, 2007
There are people who bring more than reporting skills to a newsroom, they bring character. Doug was one of those people. He was, as many have pointed out, a great reporter, but he was also good friend with time to help anyone who asked. He added professionalism and personality to our workplace. I can only imagine what a good teacher he must have been. Those of us at the Star-Telegram who knew him, will miss him.
Elaine Deramus
January 30, 2007
Mom and I are very sadden about your husband passing. We are praying that the lord strengthen you more & more.
Lois and Elaine
Blessings..........
Pam & Bob Becker
January 30, 2007
Dear Judy, Jennifer and Zack,
Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time. Doug was very special in that his quick wit and sense of humor could put anyone at ease in any situation.
He has made his contribution to this world in a very loving and generous way.
Dan Frazier
January 29, 2007
My sympathy and condolences to Judy,Jennifer,Zach and family and friends. Doug was a good man and a good friend both on and off the paper.I will miss him and remember him fondly,especially for setting such a sterling example of a man who demonstrates the proper attitude toward corporate brass.
Love, Dan
Alice & Becky Ruffel/Raymond
January 29, 2007
We are good friends of Judy's and we are so glad that we got to also know Doug and enjoy his wit and humor during the salons in their home. Our love and prayers are with all of his family especially Judy, Jennifer and Zack during this time of great loss.
Peace be with you. Love,
Ruth & Leslie Shields & Cox
January 29, 2007
Our condolences for your loss.
Dwight Greene
January 29, 2007
Doug was my friend for many years. I first got to know Doug when he was the media correspondent with the Fort Worth Police Department. He would call the city desk at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to report police matters and I was usually the one who picked up the phone. We later worked together in the Star-Telegram obituary office. We sat at desks facing one another for many years. One of Doug's finer qualities was his ability to make me laugh every time we got together. He had the kindest heart of anyone I have ever known. Doug loved kids and had an incredible sense of humor. When my little daughter would come to the office to visit he would turn his head and go "Quack!" and then look at her and say "There's that invisible duck again! Can you find that duck?" And my daughter would look and look all around the office trying to find that duck. Doug did that every single time she came in the office. It was their little game. And now at age 16, she still remembers that invisible duck. Doug was a part of my life in many ways. When I needed to move furniture, Doug was there. When I worked on an independent film or with the Fort Worth Film Festival, Doug was there. And when I wanted to go for a chicken fried steak at the Paris Coffee Shop, you better believe Doug was there. He loved John Wayne and he thought The Searchers was one of the greatest movies ever made. But most of all, Doug loved his family. He was always talking about Judy, Jennifer and Zach and also told me stories about his mom and dad. From time to time, he would have me leave a message for his daughter that "Mr. Wonderful" had called. He was such a loving man. He had so many stories to tell and told them in a way that only Doug could tell them. I will miss him tremendously.
Eric Budd
January 29, 2007
We send our love and prayers.
Donna Ingenito
January 29, 2007
My deepest sympathies to his family for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.
Jessica Eakman Thomas
January 29, 2007
I am sorry for your loss. Mr. Clarke was one of my favorite teachers at TCU. He always made us laugh by inviting us into his "palatial office" - which was his chair scooted up to a table.
Richard & Janis Hudson
January 29, 2007
Doug was a great guy! I always enjoyed the conversations we had. He was very steady and seemed to have an insight on what made people the way they were. A good guy to seek for advice!
Jan Palasek-Dunn
January 29, 2007
You all have our most profound sympathy. If there is anything that we can do, please let us know.
Love,
Jan & Richard Dunn
Donna Shinpaugh
January 29, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lee Bednar
January 29, 2007
My condolences on this sad loss. Having only met Doug on one or two occassions, I know him mostly through Judy. Their love and comraderie are very clearly present every time Judy speaks of him. Judy - my love and strength to you, Zach, Jennifer and the family.
Sue Baldock
January 29, 2007
Doug's beloved daughter Jennifer is a great friend of mine and the entire family is in my prayers at this time. God speed, Doug.
Bob Sonderegger
January 28, 2007
I worked 10 years with Doug at the Star-Telegram. He was a great guy with so many abilities. Doug was a very proficient rodeo writer but in 1978, they decided that rodeo was a sport and the sports department should handle it. Imagine that. I volunteered. Doug was a tremendous help and provided much encouragement. Doug would be on everybody's all-star journalism team as a police reporter, but he could do any job in the newsroom, and do it well. More than that, he was a great leader, teacher and friend. It was my pleasure to also have several opportunities to visit with Doug after leaving the Star-Telegram. My condolences to his family on this loss.
Kathi Miller
January 28, 2007
I started work at the Star-Telegram two years after Doug, and he became one of my closest friends. At the time, women reporters were still somewhat rare, and occasionally when I answered the city desk phone, a caller would ask to speak to a "real reporter." It became a long running joke. Doug would call and try to disguise his voice, demanding to speak to a "real reporter." Of course, he had a distinctive voice, so it never worked. He will be greatly missed.
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