Roy “Ed” Clarke, Jr.

Roy Edwin “Ed” Clarke, Jr., age 81, a beloved father, grandfather, educator and coach, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Optim Medical Center in Reidsville. He was born on December 29, 1942, in Macon, GA to Roy Edwin and Harriette Hall Clarke and lived the majority of his life in Savannah, before settling in Reidsville 19 years ago. Ed’s career began at Richard Arnold High School as a teacher and coach before serving as principal, coach, headmaster and teacher over the many years he worked at Calvary Baptist Day School in Savannah. Throughout his career, Ed’s passion for sports and education shone through as he imparted valuable leadership and people skills to his students and players. Even after leaving Calvary, Ed continued to positively influence youth at various institutions including the Evans County Recreation Department, Pinewood Christian Academy, and Tattnall County High School. His love for sports followed him from childhood to Savannah High School. After graduating high school, he was off to the University of Georgia and then Armstrong Junior College as a basketball player and finally at Erskine College as a baseball player where in 2005 he was inducted into the Flying Fleet Erskine College Hall of Fame for baseball. He has also been inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame for the advancement of sports (1999) and Calvary Day School Athletic Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments (2021). He loved his years coaching many talented athletes and proudly earned many honors and awards as an exemplary coach in Boys and Girls Basketball and Girls Softball. Beyond his professional life, Ed found joy in spending time with his partner in life, Gail, his children and grandchildren, fishing and tending to his yard. He and Gail walked daily and showed love to everyone they met, even neighbor’s pets. He was a member of Calvary in Savannah and had attended Friendship Baptist Church in Reidsville. He loved the Lord and even on the day of his death he was up to date on his Bible reading. His parents preceded him in death. Ed is survived by his loving life partner, Gail Choate of Reidsville; children Jon (Jeannie) Clarke of King of Prussia, PA and Julie (Myron) Barrineau of Whigham, GA; brothers Charles (Marsha) Clarke of Savannah and Allen (Bonnie) Clarke of Foley, AL; grandchildren Emily McKiernan, Sean Clarke, and Ellie Jane Barrineau; as well as great grandson, Ashton. A visitation will be held on April 17, 2024, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM followed by a Memorial Service starting at 1:30 PM at The Glennville Funeral Home located at 403 W. Barnard Street in Glennville, GA with Pastor Johnny H. Moore officiating. Glennville Funeral Home has the honor to serve the Clarke family.