Gary E. Clarke

Gary Edwin Clarke, 80, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 in the comfort of his home. Gary was born on July 6, 1944, to Glenn Edwin Clarke and Barbara Frances McDaniel in Deming, New Mexico, as his father was a mechanic for the United States Air Force. Upon military service completion, the family returned to Missouri to reconnect with family and friends. Always the wise counselor and voice of reason, he was the eldest of three boys.
Upon graduation from Macon High School, he moved to Kansas City to attend Draughon's Business College, majoring in Drafting and Mechanical and Tool Design. Ever a loyal employee, he worked as a senior draftsman for Koch Supplies and progressed to engineering and equipment management, traveling to Europe and Asia frequently to assist clients. As his family grew, he transitioned to equipment management leadership at New Wave Enterprises and project management at Temp-Con to be closer to home. Gary was generous with a dry humor and quick wit. He loved fiercely and spoke softly. He would oftentimes help friends, neighbors, and strangers without fanfare, always willing to lend a hand, donate time, or support those less fortunate.
During his free time, Gary was the companion to many on hunting and fishing trips. He was a home improvement enthusiast before it was popular, constantly tinkering around the house with several ongoing projects. For many years he built cabinetry for his friends for their new homes or for home renovations. Despite these talents, his intellect, patience, and precision made his passion for classic cars a natural hobby and his ultimate pastime, which lasted a lifetime. While consistently quiet, humble, and modest, his acumen for sports cars, particularly Corvettes, was greatly admired and respected across the Kansas City area and beyond. It was not uncommon to receive phone calls and emails from fellow friends and aficionados, and various mechanics, enthusiasts, and collectors across the country. There was not an automotive detail he did not know, had not seen, or could not fix. He was very popular at car shows and was commonly on the circuit, displaying his latest models. Gary won several awards, including 1st Place and Outstanding Machine at World of Wheels, 1st Place at the American Royal Parade, the Gold Award and Best in Class from the Kansas City Corvette Association, and Grand Champion of the Heartland Car Show. His cars were renowned and showcased on merchandise, as the car community knew his cars were built with integrity and care. Although he loved cars, Gary was the first to state with certainty his family was his biggest accomplishment and most treasured gift.
Gary was unwaveringly devoted to his wife Donna (née Jacquin) and his children John (Melissa), Jim (Sherri), Dawn (John), and Gary Paul (Beth). He adored his grandchildren Jacob, Austin, Evan, Trenton, Mason, Anne, Ella, Owen, and Eli, great-grandchild Riker, and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his younger brothers Wayne and Steve and was proud to be the big brother. Gary and family deeply mourned the loss of his son Jim and daughter-in-law Melissa prior to his passing.
Gary's family will receive friends from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28th at Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, MO, and on Sunday, June 29th, services will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO, with visitation at 2:00 p.m. and funeral at 3:00 p.m., followed by burial in Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, Missouri