James H. Clarke

James H. Clarke, 78, of Gettysburg, PA and formerly of Milton, NY, left his home and loving care of his family and passed into the presence of his Savior on December 2, 2018. Born June 15, 1940, in Milton, NY, he was the son of the late Glenn C. Clarke and Ruth (Sherwood) Clarke. A 1958 graduate of Marlboro Central High School, Jim then pursued an Associates Degree in Pomology at Cornell before returning to the family farm which he managed until 1971. He found his true calling as a pest management consultant and salesman for a number of companies serving the fruit industry, starting with FMC in Milton, NY, and then moving with his family to the Biglerville, PA area in 1976. In PA, Jim worked for Agway, and then Ag Chem / UAP, all located in Biglerville. He was a private consultant from 2010 to the present. Jim took great personal interest in his customers and clients, never losing his love of fruit production or his interest in new discoveries and the challenges each new season would bring. He loved the outdoors, and while more naturally drawn to places like the Adirondacks, he also enjoyed the beaches of MD, NC, the Caribbean and the island of Vieques, PR, especially in the company of his loving wife of 55 years, Emily (Werba) Clarke. They were blessed to share many adventures together over the years. Jim was an avid woodworker and handyman, working on his house, restoring old tractors, building furniture, carving song birds and waterfowl. Music in one form or another was also a lifelong interest whether singing in a choir, playing the hammered dulcimer, enjoying a performance or just listening wherever he was. Jim was elected to the Upper Adams School Board for a period in the 1980s. He was a member of Gettysburg Baptist Church and served there in various ways over the years. Surviving in addition to his wife are his brother Glenn S. Clarke and spouse Ed Vasquez of Milton, NY; a sister, Judy Ghezzi of Hopewell Junction, NY; son Gregory G. Clarke and wife Carrie of Dillsburg, PA and their 5 children, Nathaniel and wife Caitlin, Anna, Joshua, Sarah and Benjamin; daughter Deborah D. Brooks and husband William of Abbottstown, PA and their 2 children, Daniel and Matthew. Professional services are entrusted to Dugan Funeral Home, Inc., Bendersville. A memorial service will be held Friday, December 14 at 2:00 PM at GBC - Gettysburg Baptist Church, 95 Fairview Road, Gettysburg, PA. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until time of services. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gettysburg Baptist Church at the address above or the Young Growers Alliance, payable to “SHAP-YGA Fund”, and sent to State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, 480 Mountain Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353.