The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IT has been more than two years since his death, but the family of the late Rev Dennis Walter Clarke still misses his presence in their lives and feels the void he has left behind.

Not only was he a Police Reserve Constable working to protect his country, Rev Clarke also lives on in people’s memories as a gentleman, leader and motivator.

Speaking with Tribune Religion, close family members said Rev Clarke was shot and killed on May 31, 2012 during an armed robbery. He was not on duty at the time.

As a member of the Pentecostal Baptist Church, Rev Clarke served in various capacities, including youth leader, assistant secretary, member of the Men’s Fellowship, chairman of the Pastor Aid Committee and as a member of the church’s youth choir, where he often sang lead vocal.

Two weeks before his death, family members said, Rev Clarke wrote his last sermon, entitled “Look what the landlord has done”. The scripture text came from Mark ch12 vs 1-10.

On Thursday, May 31, 2012, while at work, Rev Clarke was heard singing “It Is Finish’d”. Later that evening Rev Clarke answered the call of the Lord to come home.

As told by many that adored him, Rev Clarke loved life and loved people. His favourite scripture was, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)”, and his favourite song was “All The Way My Saviour Lead Me.”

Joining the Police Force in 1982 as a reservist, Rev Clarke served his country for 30 years.

“He loved serving his country and people due to having a huge, caring heart,” Rev Clarke’s family members said.

“Most of his jobs involved helping persons in some way, which he did without question. He also enjoyed family gatherings and encouraged us to come together as often as possible. He loved going to church and never missed a Sunday unless he was travelling. His hobbies included singing, travelling, meeting people, reading, carpentry, fishing, baseball and grilling; he was the self-proclaimed grill master.”

His family said Rev Clarke believed in living life to the fullest and living every day like it was his last. He lived by the words, “Put your trust in God and not in man, and in everything that you do be sure to put God first”.

“He was always the organiser of family vacations and would be found leading the pack as we drove from state to state in the United States. He drove a Chrysler New Yorker for about 20 years, refusing to buy a new car. Even though the body had rusted and the engine coughed, he kept on driving that was his ‘old faithful’,” family members recalled.

“Every holiday, religiously, we would get up at the crack of dawn to go on the beach where we would hang out, talk and crack jokes about one another. Afterwards, we would gather at the family homestead to have breakfast, which our mother would prepare for us.”

In 1993, when his father died, Rev Clarke, being the oldest child, stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge to become the father figure, caregiver, motivator and role model for his loved ones. He was there to collect reports cards from school, and if the grades were not up to his standards his siblings could be certain they would receive a tongue lashing.

“He always encouraged his younger siblings to be the best they can be and strive for excellence. He always provided a listening ear if there was anything we needed to talk about. He always offered the best advice, even if the response wasn’t what we wanted to hear,” Rev Clarke’s siblings said.

“He was fair and corrected us when we were wrong. He took on this role so that he could keep the family together. He did this by being a positive role model and encouraged us to always do our best in whatever we do. Dennis possessed a hard outer exterior but a soft heart. He held his head high, beaming with confidence, energy and vigour. His cheer had the ability to make your bad days good.”

His family said Rev Clarke was a comedian, always finding something to tease his siblings about and had a nickname for everyone.

“With Dennis having several sisters, he dubbed himself as the ultimate father giver,” the family said.

“He was heard saying how his suit is ready just waiting for the day when he would walk one of them down the aisle. He would often call his sisters to check on them to make sure that they were OK. He loved hanging out and playing dominoes with his brothers. At the time of his death, a surprise was being planned for him on Father’s Day.

“Two years later and it still seems like yesterday when we got a phone call asking for the family to go to the hospital because Dennis was being taken to the emergency room. We went to the hospital thinking that his illness was minor and he would be out in a few days, but to our surprise we were told that Dennis had went to be with the Lord. This dealt a shocking blow to the family who to this day would often gather and reminisce about our loved one. We really miss our brother, our father figure, our teacher and our friend. His memory will linger on in the hearts of his mother, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and other relatives, including his children.”