Mr. Harold J. Clarke

Harold Joseph Clarke, known to all as "Bobby", was born on April 10, 1930, in the District of Columbia. He was the eighth of ten children born to his parents, Stewart "Cotton" and Marie (Stevenson) Clarke. He peacefully departed this life on July 30, 2020 at his home in Temple Hills, Maryland. After graduating from Phelps Vocational High School in Washington, D.C., he began his employment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a messenger. He was soon promoted to a position in printing and advanced to become the supervisor of the IMF Print Shop. In keeping with his responsibilities for printing sensitive onsite report necessary for the success of IMF meetings, he traveled throughout the world. In addition, he worked part-time in the evenings as a taxi driver for several years. Ambitious and forward-thinking, Bobby also successfully engaged in real estate investment; he purchased and rehabilitated many houses and multi-family residences. In 1949, at a party, he met his soulmate, Minto Roper. In 1950, they were married and in 1951, they welcomed the first of their three daughters. They purchased their first home in the Michigan Park neighborhood of Northeast, Washington, D.C. In 1971, they moved to their new residence in Temple Hill, Maryland. Bobby enjoyed his home and love to entertain family and friends frequently. Just one day after the celebration of his and Minto's 70th anniversary, Bobby made his transition. Bobby Relished his favorite hobby, horse racing, often visiting the tracks in the company of his siblings. This family passion was introduced to them by their mother. He became an expert in assessing the particulars of jockeys, race horses, track and calculating the odds. His wife sometimes chuckled that this was his post-retirement job. He delighted in assisting young people to get a good start in life. He was generous with his wisdom, and could be counted on to give a helping hand to friends and family. He maintained numerous long-term friendships, growing old with some of his childhood friends. Bobby valued the friendships established during his long tenure at the IMF. He enjoyed gathering regularly with his former colleagues who called their group the "Lunch Bunch." Bobby was a proud Washingtonian who often commented that generations of his father's family had lived in Georgetown. His mother's family was from Foggy Bottom. An excellent raconteur, he shared many interesting observations abut African-american life style in the District over the course of his lifetime. He recently accepted an invitation to become a member of The City Tavern Club in Georgetown. The invitation followed his discovery that three generations of his ancestors had labored in that history building while enslaved by the woman who was then the tavern owner. Bobby was predeceased by his parents and his nine siblings. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. Harold "Bobby" Clarke is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Minto; his beloved three daughters, Tayloria Jackson (Stanley), Lynette Clarke, and Minto Williams (Larry); three grandchildren, Consuella Clark-Hall (Kerry), Stanley Jackson and Marqus Jackson; three great grandchildren, Marqus, Kierra and Marlie; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends. Bobby was a father and grandfather figure to many others. He counted Sylvester L. Barnes (Poochie) as his son and Maya Barnes as his granddaughter. Charles Alfred Moore (Freddie) also regarded his as Daddy Bobby.

Mr. Harold J. Clarke

April 10, 1930 - July 30, 2020