Richard Ernest Clare's Obituary
Richard E Clare, 91, of Fort Myers, FL, passed away on December 14, 2017, after a brief illness. He was born on January 13, 1926 in Elkhart, IN to Viola Messler Clare and Ross Clare as the second of three sons. After graduating from high school, he served in the US Army in World War II and then toured the Midwest for a short time with his dance band. In 1946, he married Jane E. Wills who survives him after a marriage of 71 years. He is also survived by his 3 children, Cynthia Evans Thompson and her husband Don of Littleton, CO, his son John of Fort Myers, FL and his son Patrick and his wife Joni of Dunedin, FL. Richard was the proud grandfather of seven with five great-grandchildren.After leaving the music business, he entered radio and was an on-air radio and television personality in the Elkhart area for many years and also as the voice of the Elkhart Municipal Band. He furthered his career in public finance, moving to the city of Pembroke Pines, FL as Finance Director in 1972. He was active in Lions International for over 50 years and served as a Florida District Governor in 1998-1999.A Memorial Service for Richard will be celebrated by Pastor Joe Wingard at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Guests will be received for Visitation for an hour preceding this service beginning at 10:00 AM also inside the funeral home chapel. At the conclusion of these ceremonies, guests are welcome to travel to Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 SR 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241, (941) 922-7200 where Richard will receive Military Honors from the United States Army at 2:00 PM before being laid to rest.To share a story, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Richard’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.
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