Clarence Barksdale

1932 - 2024

Clarence Caulfield ("Cedge") Barksdale, loving husband, father, and grandfather, and renowned civic leader, passed away peacefully December 25, 2024, at his home in St. Louis. He was 92 years old.

Born and raised in St. Louis, and a lifetime resident of the city that he loved, Barksdale was known as a tireless civic promoter, generous philanthropist and dedicated family man. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Emily Keyes ("Nini") Barksdale, and is lovingly remembered by his remaining family members, son John (Paula) and daughter Lee Bryant (Keith), grandchildren Ellie and Ethan Barksdale and Will Bryant, brother Henry C. Barksdale, numerous nieces and nephews, their families, and the countless others whose lives he touched in public and private life.

Following graduation from Brown University, and three years of service with the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps in Germany, Barksdale joined First National Bank in St. Louis (later Centerre) in 1958. He was named president of First National 16 years later at age 42, the youngest person ever to hold that title at the longtime St. Louis institution. By the early 80s, the bank had become the largest bank holding company in Missouri, with 60 domestic and three international offices. Barksdale also orchestrated the name change to Centerre Bancorporation, to better reflect the bank's increasingly regional focus, and, as chairman of the board and chief executive officer, built the Centerre Bank building at 800 Market Street, overlooking the old Busch Stadium (now Bank of America Plaza).

Following his retirement from banking in 1989, Barksdale became vice chairman, board of trustees, at Washington University, a volunteer position he held until 2004. Barksdale worked with multiple university chancellors to grow the school's endowment and help it become the national powerhouse it is today.

During his career, Barksdale served on many corporate boards, including AT&T, Universal Match, Steak n Shake, Dillard's Department Stores, Wetterau Inc. and Pet Inc., and was a director of the American Bankers Association and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Barksdale was even more active as a volunteer with many of the civic organizations that he loved so dearly, serving as a trustee/board director for Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Society, Muny Opera, St. Louis Zoo, Girls Inc., St. Louis Country Day School (Class of 1950) and VP Fair, among many others.

He also served as a trustee at Brown University and was awarded honorary degrees from Westminster College, Maryville College and St. Louis University. He was named one of TIME Magazine's "Top 200 Young Leaders in the Country" in 1974 and St. Louis Globe-Democrat "Man of the Year" in 1982.

Despite all of the professional and community commitments, Barksdale managed to live a family-centered life, anchored by his cherished wife Nini. Married in 1959, the two remained inseparable until Nini's death in 2017. They enjoyed playing tennis together, both loved crossword puzzles and led a very active social life. They are remembered fondly not only in St. Louis, but in their beloved vacation home locations of Delray, Fla., and Harbor Springs, Mich.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Jan. 3, at St. Louis Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MICDS or Washington University. Additional inquiries, contact Lupton Chapel.