The family of Horace M. Clarke (Harry) sadly announces his passing on Aug. 5, 2020, in Laurel, Md.
He was 82 years old. Horace Clarke was born in Frederiksted, St. Croix, to Dennis and Vivia Aileen (Ford) Clarke. He was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Ena Nanton, Annette Cyrus and Vernon Clarke.
Horace Clarke loved his family, was a gifted musician and an avid fisherman. He developed an early love for baseball that led to a professional career with Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. He was part of the first MLB exhibition game ever played in the Virgin Islands, where the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox at Paul E. Joseph Stadium. After retiring from baseball, he returned to St. Croix where he developed young players in the territory as a baseball specialist for the Housing, Parks and Recreation Department and became an assistant scout for the Kansas City Royals. One of his proudest accomplishments was receiving an honorary doctorate degree from the University of the Virgin Islands in 2014.
Horace is survived by his sons, Jeffrey M. Clarke and Jason D. Clarke; daughter-in-law, Trina Soto-Clarke; grandchildren, Justin, Jayda, Jared and Jalen Clarke; and sisters, Hollis Jefferson and Violette Armstrong.
