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Born to Lee Clarke and the late Ted G. Clarke, Jr., Tom was the last patriarch of the Mercer Island pioneers who have continuously lived on the island from 1908 to 2010. Tom’s sense of adventure and optimistic outlook on life were influenced by his father. His mother cultivated in him a respect for nature and a love of gardening. Together, they passed on to him a strong sense of family values, which he used as the foundation for his own family.
Early on in his life Tom experienced unexpected adversity due to medical difficulties. Despite these setbacks he led his life to its fullest experiencing each day as his first and his last. He spent many seasons with his family boating in the coastal islands of the Northwest, first on the Fred Free and later on the Nor’wester as the crew expanded. He led many hiking and camping excursions throughout the Washington coast and Cascade Mountains. In later years, the boating trips gave way to a single location, The Property on Nelson Island, where he established first a tarp tent and over the years a hospitable cabin welcome to all family and friends that could enjoy the rustic life.
Tom believed in spiritual inclusiveness and created a deep and meaningful connection with everyone he knew. This aspect of his personality, mingled with a wry sense of wit and sarcasm, led to many lively debates and conversations.
Inspired to work for Northwest Kidney Centers after his own personal experiences with two stints on dialysis, prior to receiving kidney transplants from both his brother and later his mother, Tom always had a very personal connection with his patients. With the interactions of his patients and the coworkers at Lake Washington Kidney Center over the years, Tom was able to reflect and balance the experiences of his life with other people who understood best. Tom’s family would like to thank Northwest Kidney Centers for the many years of positive quality of life he received throughout his career.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, four children, four grandchildren, a dog, several unruly chickens, and a garden heavily pollinated by his bees. We will long remember who you were and what you represented. Tom is now a wave upon the ocean ... a particle in the sea.
Make a donation in Tom's memory >
If you prefer to make a gift through your estate or a gift of stock please contact:
Jane Pryor, CFRE
Vice President of Development and Public Relations/Foundation Executive Director
Phone: (206) 292-2771, ext. 5354
Email: Jane Pryor
Cindy McRoberts, Major Gifts Officer
Phone: (206) 292-2771, ext. 5353
Email: Cindy McRoberts
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