The Reverend Deacon John David Clarke
May 16, 1939 – February 4, 2023
We write to share the news that the Reverend Deacon John David (J.D.) Clarke died peacefully at his home on February 4, 2023. J.D. served at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church as Director of Community Ministry from 1985 through his retirement in 2010. He was a devoted member of St. Bart’s for almost 44 years. J.D. was a graduate of the University of Arizona and was a working actor in addition to being a member of St. Bart’s staff prior to his ordination as a deacon.
Under J.D.’s direction, Community Ministry went from feeding programs and a men’s shelter in the narthex of the Church to a shelter for women. Community was important to J.D., who treated those who stayed at the Crossroads shelter as guests, and taught the volunteers that their work was to look each guest in the eye, shake their hands, and share a meal with them.
J.D. is survived by his beloved wife Maria Velez-Clarke, five children, eleven grandchildren, and his sister, Susan Manning-Powers.
A funeral service will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church at 11 am on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
May J.D. rest in eternal peace and rise in incomparable glory.
The Clergy of St. Bart’s
The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Rector
The Reverend Peter D. Thompson, Vicar
The Reverend Zack Nyein, Senior Associate Rector
The Reverend Meredith E. Ward, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care
The Reverend Canon Andrew J.W. Mullins, Assistant Rector
The Reverend Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers, Assisting Priest
The Reverend Deacon John F. Wirenius