Kenneth Oldham “Buzz” Clarke, Jr., age 83, of Marion, MA, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Friday, December 27, 2013, in Wareham, MA. He was born in Plymouth on December 14, 1930 and grew up in Kingston and Plymouth.
Buzz attended Plymouth High School where he played football and baseball. He worked for Plymouth Gas before starting his own heating and air conditioning business, Clarke Co. in the mid 1960’s.
Buzz and Nancy Ann “Dolly” (Zora) Clarke were married in November 1954 and resided in Marion for 59 years. He is survived by four children, Debra Louise Clarke McCarthy and her partner James V. Kovar of Princeton, WV; Brenda Ann Clarke Fatula and her husband Michael; Kenneth O. “Bub” Clarke III of Mattapoisett, and his wife, Nancy; and Zora Ann “Punkin” Clarke St. Don and her husband, Paul. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jake O. Clarke, Derek W. Clarke and Jackson Clarke St. Don; by his sister, Louise Clarke Price of Brookline, NH, and his brother, George H. Clarke and his wife, Charlotte, of Plymouth; and several nieces and nephews.
Buzz was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth O. Clarke, Sr. and Frances (Deans) Clarke.
Buzz liked living in Marion close to the water where he had a lifetime appointment as Wharfinger. Early on, he served on the volunteer fire department for the Town of Marion. He was a 25-year member in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. An avid saltwater fisherman, he enjoyed many hours on his boat, The DBK.
Arrangements are private. The family thanks the nursing and hospice staffs at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation – Forestview, in Wareham.