Ronald Dwayne Clarke, (Rooter) 75 of Forks, WA passed away August 2, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. Ron was born on January 23, 1948, in Snoqualmie, WA to the late Floyd and Florence Clarke. He moved to Forks in 1969 where he met and fell in love with the love of his life Gayle Parker. They were married April 4, 1970. They then brought into the world their two daughters, Chrystal in 1971 and Kathy in 1974.

As Ron sat in the classroom at Mount Si High School watching the Weyerhaeuser log trucks drive by and some of them even stopping to give him a ride to school in the mornings, his dream was to become a log truck driver. His dream came true in 1971 when he bought his first truck from J.R. Soloman and became the owner/operator of Ron Clarke Trucking until he retired in 2016.

When Ron wasn’t working, he enjoyed camping with his family at our COHO Estates property, fishing, whether it was on the riverbank, out on the ocean in La Push, or in the straits out at Sekiu. He also loved to watch his girls play sports, but his most enjoyment came from watching his grandkids play sports. Whether it was a home game or a 6-hour round trip away game he was there cheering them on. He was also a huge fan of the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks.

Ron was a member of The Forks Elks Lodge and West End Thunder where he loved to race his 1969 El Camino.

Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Melvin (Pa) and Mae (Nana) Clarke, his parents Floyd and Florence Clarke, Stepmom Lorraine Clarke, and sister Elaine Skagen.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Gayle Clarke, daughters Chrystal Clarke and Kathy Jacoby (Rick), brother Don Clarke (JoAnn), sisters Diane Gere and Leslie Badger (Andy), grandchildren Kassy King (Morgan), Blake King (Cori), Brooke Jacoby (Sebastian), and Jake Jacoby (Maddie) and three precious great grandsons Jace, James, and Caden Rathjen. Along with many nieces and nephews.

The family requests donations in his memory be sent to West End Thunder, PO Box 721, Forks, WA 98331. Plans for honoring Ron at the races have been postponed until next season due to weather canceling the races on Saturday, Sept. 23. The memorial pass of all racers led by his El Camino is planned for the first race next season.