Edward G Clarke

Edward G Clarke passed away on January 13, 2022 at the age of 96 in Leavenworth, Washington after a short illness. Edward (Eddie) grew up on Peshastin Creek, the son of apple ranchers, Ed and Blanche Clarke. He graduated from Peshastin High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy to join the fight in the Pacific during WWII. He attended several Navy radio engineer schools before he was sent to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. After being honorably discharged he returned home and attended Washington State College and Central Washington State College. Edward was very proud of his service to his country and was a life-long member of the American Legion attending meetings at the Legion Hall in Peshastin, serving several terms as Commander. He performed duties with the American Legion honor guard for decades at Memorial Day services in Peshastin and Leavenworth cemeteries, wearing his original Navy uniform. Edward and Virginia faithfully placed flags on the graves of each veteran in the cemetery every Memorial Day. In 1949 Edward married Virginia Campbell and they began their life farming together on the North Road. They turned an old horse carriage barn into their first house. As the years passed and the family grew they remodeled and added to the original building many times. They raised four children together. Edward loved farming and raising a beautiful garden. He always tried to raise more and better. It was his personal challenge. In his later years the only thing that delighted him more than having his big garden was giving away the produce to friends and neighbors. Edward inherited his love of travel from his parents. He spent part of his childhood in Mexico in 1937. He and Virginia traveled all over the United States and Canada. They travelled the world by foot, narrow gauge trains, cruise ships, airplanes, jets and even a Russian helicopter. They saw Machu Picchu and Ireland, Australia and Spain. So many places he loved to recall. He was still trying to figure out a way to get to Mexico one more time at the age of 96. Edward was a leader in many community organizations. He served on the Chelan County Planning commission for many years. He was instrumental in the founding of the Peshastin Public Library. Edward was a strong supporter of public schools. He and Virginia organized the all school picnic reunions that so many generations of Peshastin-Dryden graduates enjoyed over the years. He served many years on the board of Leavenworth Fruit Co-op. Because of his love of hiking and the high lakes he was active in the formation of the Alpine Lakes wilderness designation and the land swaps with the timber industry. He was a true believer in conserving our wild areas and a rural way of life for future generations. Edward Clarke was preceded in death by his wife Virginia and his son Paul. He is survived by his daughter Janice Merriman (Douglas), son Douglas Clarke, daughter Melissa Clarke (James Duggan), grandchildren Colin, Erin, Kelly, Mason, Maggie, Alec and Laura and many great grandchildren. Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 17, 2022, 11 am at Light in the Valley Community Church. Directly after the service all friends and family are invited to join us at the American Legion Memorial Hall in Peshastin to share memories and celebrate a great man In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Mountain Meadows Memory Care Unit in loving memory of Edward’s wife Virginia Clarke Special thank you to the staff at Mountain Meadows and Cascade Medical for their excellent care they gave to Edward Thank you to Knights of Columbus, Wenatchee for all their assistance

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Edward G Clarke

December 30, 1925 - January 13, 2022