LeRoy Clarke

LeRoy Clarke Jr. came into the world on March 26, 1926, born in the house built by his grandfather in Salem, IN. Following a lengthy battle with liver disease and diabetes, he left the world quietly and peacefully on October 18, 2011 surrounded by family at his home. He was 85 years old. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his family and friends.
Throughout his life, LeRoy exhibited a strength of character, sense of humor, determination, heart, and humility that served him well for all of his 85 years. He graduated from Salem High School in 1944 and then enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. Though short-lived, his naval career significantly defined the remainder of his life. After deployment to the Philippines, he lost his right leg early in 1945. He was shipped back to the U.S. for rehabilitation and to be fitted with a prosthesis. Learning to live with an artificial limb was not without challenge, but with characteristic courage, hard work and determination, LeRoy mastered it. New acquaintances seldom guessed that his slight limp was anything more than a sprained ankle or "bad knee."
In June 1946, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean King before moving to Bloomington to study business at Indiana University. After college, LeRoy and Betty moved to Indianapolis where he worked for many years as a field auditor for the Indiana Farm Bureau Co-op. In the early 1980s, he became Office Manager at the Frontier Co-op in Lebanon, Indiana, from which he retired in 1990. LeRoy and Betty were married for 61 years until Betty's death in 2007.
Besides enjoying traveling and participating in activities with his family, LeRoy enjoyed the brotherhood he found as a Mason. He was Past Master of the Hamilton Masonic Lodge #533 as well as a member of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He was also a member of the Fishers United Methodist Church.
LeRoy is survived by his three children, Linda Clarke-Caldwell (Robert Caldwell); Jeff Clarke; and James; grandchildren Alex Caldwell, T.J. Clarke (Kristin), and Ashley Clarke; and sisters Anita Zink and Janet Skelton (Everett).
Calling will be Friday, October 21, 2011 from 11am to 1pm and funeral at 1pm at Randall and Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, in Fishers. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, Indianapolis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fishers United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or the Masonic Home.