Ward E. "Duker" Clarke Jr.

Clarke, Ward E. "Duker" Jr. BUCKEYE, Ariz. Ward E. "Duker" Clarke Jr., age 89, died on October 1, 2021, in Buckeye, Ariz. Ward was raised in Crownpoint, N.Y. and lived in Phoenix, Ariz. and Lancaster, Calif. before moving to Troy, where he would raise his family for 25 years. Ward is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Mary Scott Clarke of Buckeye, Ariz.; his children, Gilbert Clarke, Gary Clarke, Donald (Mary) Clarke, and Daniel Clarke; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ward E. and Mary Jane (Allen) Clarke Sr.; the mother of his children, Pearl Clarke; his daughter and son, Justine (Tina) and Russell Clarke; and his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Clarke. Ward was the youngest of 10 children and was preceded in death by his nine siblings: Geneva Bemis, Genevieve Stacy, Allen Clarke, Howard Clarke, Ira Clarke, Maybelle Harper, Earl Clarke, Cora Marek, and Merritt Clarke. Ward was a master rigger and owner of Ward Clarke and Sons Rigging Consultants. He was an avid golfer and fulfilled his dream of playing at the Old Course at St. Andrew's in Scotland. He was an Air Force mechanic during the Korean War. A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, November 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion, 111 Main St., Wynantskill. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ward's life. Donations in Ward's memory can be made to the Center for Disability Services, 314 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY, 12208.