John Paul Clarke

John Paul Clarke passed away peacefully on November 27, 2019 at the Baptist Health Lexington Hospital, Lexington Kentucky, after a strong and courageous battle with ALS. John was 56 when he died having been born on June 28,1963. He was the son of Joseph W. Clarke, Jr. and the late Marie Rabena Clarke. He is survived by his wife Suzanne Farmer Clarke, his children Hannah and Jack , his brothers Joseph (Jeannie) , James (Lisa) and Jason (Debbie) and sister Maria Kolimago (John). John is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. John was raised in Haddon Township with summers in Sea Isle City. After he married, his family resided in Moorestown NJ for many years before moving to Lexington Kentucky a few years ago. He also had a summer home in Sea Isle City, NJ. John was a prominent practicing attorney licensed in NJ and Pa. with offices in Haddonfield, Cherry Hill and Sea Isle City. He was the owner of State Line Abstract Title Agency. He was a Graduate of Saint Joseph’s University and Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan. John loved life and was an avid golfer, fisherman, body surfer and skier. He enjoyed ice skating, was a nature lover and loved working on his homes, boats and bicycles. He coached many youth sports programs in Moorestown. He loved music and had a playlist he played on his eye recognition computer. He was a sports enthusiast, a true unwavering fan of Saint Joe’s, Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and more recently Lexington Catholic, Kentucky and South Carolina. Over the years he was known as the Big Kahuna (body surfing champ), King (home coming), best looking, coach, counselor at law, Johnny Boy, “the genuinely nicest person I ever met”, best friend, bartender (earlier summers at Fred’s), animal lover, “a true gentleman,” “ Bro”and on and on. In his younger years he learned about fishing and boating working at Pier 88 in Townsend Inlet and he enjoyed working the infield at the Kentucky Derby. John was a long time member of the Townsend Inlet Yacht Club, Laurel Creek Country Club and member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Moorestown. John had a fabulous sense of humor and a welcoming smile that said, you’re my friend. He loved everyone and everyone he came in contact with loved John. His father asked him recently, “Johnny, why does everybody love you so much?” His response was, “Pop, its because I love everybody.” He never ever complained about having ALS. He said “God has a plan. ” He said to his brother Jim, “ Hey Bro, just roll with it.” He fought as hard as he could, as said by Piera the head of research at Jefferson’s ALS clinic “with courage, dignity and resilience, always thinking of his children, siblings and family.” His children were his.world. He was so proud of them. His goal was to see Hannah graduate and to see Jack play more Lacrosse. He can’t now physically but he’ll surely be there in spirit. The suffering is over. He’s body surfing above the clouds, running free, sipping some bourbon and is at peace and refreshed within the embrace of his mom in the presence of God. Like his mom he sure “had a way about him.” Rest in peace, dearest Johnny, we love you, we miss you but we’ll see you soon. We can now add a new name for John: he is SAINT JOHN. If he‘s not in Heaven we’re all in trouble. There will be a visitation on Wed. December 18, 2019 from 6 to 8 PM at the Lewis Funeral Home, 78 E. Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057. Mass to celebrate John’s life will be at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church , 42 W. Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057 on Thurs. December 19, 2019, at 10:30 AM . In Lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the ALS Association in John’s name.