George Roger Clarke, Jr. | Raleigh News & Observer

George Roger Clarke, Jr., a native of Enfield, N.C. and long time resident of Petersburg, Va., died Friday, October 24, 2014 with family at his side. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Morris Clarke, who recently died on September 29, 2014; and by his parents, George Roger Clarke Sr. and Edlar Hancock Clarke of Enfield, N.C.

George was a graduate of North Carolina State University’s School of Textiles where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his career as an engineer at Jefferson Mills in Pulaski, Va., then joined Allied Signal Corporation (now Honeywell), where he was an engineer for 33 years before retiring in 1993.

From 1947 to 1950, Mr. Clarke served in the United States Air Force at Lockland Air Force Base in Texas, where he was a Physical Training Instructor. A member of the Lions Club International Petersburg Chapter since 1984, George served as chairman of its Visual Aides Program and as president for two years.

He is survived by his two sons, George Roger Clarke III of Hertford, N.C. and John Morris Clarke of Petersburg; daughter, Marian Clarke Hurdelbrink and her husband, Robert Hurdelbrink of Richmond; and sister, Alice Clarke Jones of Maysville, KY.

The family extends appreciation to those who were an integral part of George’s recovery from a stroke in 2001, and to those who supported him through his ongoing battle with its lingering effects.

Admired for his analytical mind and creative skills, he will be sorely missed. A memorial service and reception honoring both George and his wife Patricia will be held on November 29, 2014, the 61st anniversary of their marriage, at one o’clock at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Petersburg.

Memorial donations may be made by mail to: National Audubon Society, Attn: Audubon Angel, 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014; by telephone to 1-800-274-4201; or online at audubon.org