Ronald Clarke

Dr. Ronald Ray Clarke March 17, 1931-Apr 25, 2013 Resident of San Jose Our miracle guy, Ronald Ray Clarke, passed away April 25, 2013 with his whole family at his side. His five year goal to survive pancreatic cancer almost came true as his diagnosis was made four years and ten months ago. Ray was born March 17, 1931 and raised in Oakland, CA. After serving in the army from 1954 to 1957, during the Korean War, he met his future wife, Gigi in Washington, and they were married in 1957. They have three children - David, a pulmonary, critical care, hospital specialist physician at Kaiser Santa Clara, Karen - a writing specialist at Soka University, and Kathy - a clinical quality manager at Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and seven grandchildren. An alumnus of the University of Washington Medical School, Ray completed his internship and residency at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. In 1969, Ray became a global volunteer with Project Hope and moved with his family to Cartagena, Colombia where he served for two years. He joined Kaiser in 1971 at Santa Clara as a pediatric medical staff member. In 1975 he was part of the initial team to move to Kaiser Santa Teresa where he stayed as Chief of Pediatrics for the next twenty years before retiring in 1995. Ray volunteered with Flying Doctors and subsequently volunteered in Vietnam and Thailand as a visiting faculty member in pediatric medicine, teaching medicine and caring for children over the next fifteen years. His love of family and golf was the heart and soul of his positive attitude throughout his fight to defeat his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions may be made to the JW House, 3850 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051 (www.jwhouse.org). A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 25th, from 4:00 6:00 pm at Kaiser Santa Teresa, Medical Office Building, 275 Hospital Parkway, San Jose, CA 95119.