MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hopson, Browning, Caughman, Chassaniol, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Barnett, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Branning, Bryan, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Clarke, Dawkins, DeBar, Doty, Gollott, Harkins, Hill, Horhn, Hudson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jordan, Kirby, Massey, McDaniel, McMahan, Michel, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Tindell, Tollison, Turner-Ford, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon, Witherspoon, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING THE MILITARY, CIVIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE OF HOLLANDALE, MISSISSIPPI, BUSINESSMAN EUGENE S. CLARKE, III, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE ON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, it is with extreme sadness that we note the passing of Hollandale community and charitable leader and United States Air Force Officer Eugene S. Clarke, III, on November 29, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Clarke was born on June 15, 1933, in Hollandale to Eugene Singleton and Georgia Wicks Clarke. He graduated from Hollandale High School in 1951; and
WHEREAS, throughout his high school years, he participated in sports, maintained a newspaper route and was a member of Boy Scout Troop 53 where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout; and
WHEREAS, he then entered Mississippi State College where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and completed the Air Force ROTC Program. In 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he served as a Long-Range Bomber Pilot in the Strategic Air Command; and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 1955, he married Grace Ellen Oakes. Upon discharge from the military in 1958, they moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he began his career of over 50 years as a Certified Public Accountant with the firm Dick D. Quinn & Co. In 1962, they moved to Hollandale where he established the firm that is now Clarke, Bradley, Baker & Co., LLP. During his career he served as President of the Mississippi Society of Certified Accountants and on the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy; and
WHEREAS, he was a loyal, lifelong member of Hollandale First United Methodist Church where he served in all offices and taught Sunday School. He was active in the Mississippi Emmaus Community and was a Board Member of the Mississippi Methodist Foundation; and
WHEREAS, he served his community as a member of the Hollandale School Board, HECDF, Hollandale Rotary Club and many years as the Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 53; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Singleton Clarke, and his sister, Reba Clarke Boykin; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Grace; sons, (Mississippi Senator) Eugene Singleton "Buck" Clarke IV (Paula) of Hollandale and David Estill Clarke (Kit) of Greenville; grandchildren: Anne Read Clarke Lattimore (William), Carlisle Singleton Clarke, Ellen Estill Clarke Sawyer (Taylor), David Estill Clarke, Jr., and Georgia Corinne Clarke; two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Read Lattimore and William Lattimore, IV; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of the Mississippi Delta with enormous civic energy. Mr. Clarke rose up courageously and with gentlemanly honor to life's opportunities and challenges. While he has departed this earth, his worldly impact on his many friends and family will never be forgotten:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby honor the military, civic and charitable service of Hollandale, Mississippi, Businessman Eugene S. Clarke, III, and extend the condolences of the Legislature to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Buck Clarke and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.