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The Rev. Dr. David Keith Clarke, 86, widower of Linda Kay (Freeland) Clarke, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at his home in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. He was born on August 27, 1939, in Charleston, West Virginia, son of the late Leonard Gordon Clarke and Marguerite Lucille (Lyons) Clarke. He was a graduate of DuPont High School, Morris Harvey College, and Emory University School of Divinity. He was an ordained Elder in the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church and faithfully served the Church for forty-seven years in pastoral ministry. Throughout his career, he pastored churches across West Virginia and was appointed Fairmont District Superintendent at the age of thirty-six. Even in retirement, he continued to answer God’s call, serving Belin United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet until the end of his life, even administering Holy Communion on Christmas Eve just days before his passing. In addition to his ministry, Keith devoted his life to service and leadership in both church and community. He served as chair on numerous committees at both the Conference and General Conference levels of the United Methodist Church, including the Conference Rules Committee, Conference Higher Education Committee, Conference Missions Committee, and as President of the General Conference Equitable Salaries Commission. He was a past member of the Board of Trustees at West Virginia Wesleyan College and was honored with the title of “Kentucky Colonel.” Keith was a member of Rotary International and proudly served as past president of the Murrells Inlet Rotary Club. He was also a member and past Grand Prelate of the West Virginia Grand Commandery Knights Templar. His service extended into the community through roles as a choir director, radio broadcaster providing football color commentary, member of the American Red Cross relief assessment team, Habitat for Humanity Board member, and occasional basketball official. A man of many interests, Keith enjoyed cooking, golfing, traveling, hunting, and basketball. He was an avid West Virginia Mountaineers fan. Music was a lifelong passion, and he found great joy singing in chorales, choirs and small groups, especially alongside his beloved wife, Kay. Survivors include his two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey P. and Valerie Clarke of Cherry Grove, South Carolina, and Mark A. and Anne Clarke of Staunton, Virginia; his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberley K. and Tim Williams of Florida; his three grandchildren, Quenton Clarke and his wife Krystal, Noah Clarke and his wife Faith, and Marina English and her husband, Brendan; his beloved great- granddaughter, Rienna Lily Clarke; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. In addition to his parents and his wife of sixty-four years, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Samuel Gordon and Martha Clarke, and his daughter-in-law, Kelley Clarke. A Celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Belin United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet with the Rev. Will Malambri officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Goldfinch Funeral Home, Murrells Inlet, SC. Memorial contributions may be made to the Belin Memorial Worship and Music Department (4182 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576), the West Virginia Wesleyan College for scholarships for pre- ministerial students (59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV 26201), or to the West Virginia United Methodist Foundation for Seminary Scholarships (500 Virginia Street East, Suite 750, Charleston, WV 25301).

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Rev. Dr. D. Keith Clarke

August 27, 1939 - January 2, 2026