George Clarke, veteran Mercer Island lawmaker

George Clarke wasn't the type of legislator who went around kissing babies during campaign season.

The veteran Republican from Mercer Island loved politics more for its intellectual details. As a state representative and senator for 19 years, Mr. Clarke was known for his ability to dive head-first into the morass of legalese and surface with a lucid explanation.

"He wasn't warm and fuzzy or emotional," said his son, Keith Clarke. "But he could decipher what complicated things meant. And whenever he stood up to talk, his fellow members listened."

Mr. Clarke died June 25 at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, three days after his 100th birthday.

Active until the end, "his whole body just finally gave up on him," his son said.

Mr. Clarke was born June 22, 1906, in Perry, Iowa. When he was 2 years old, his family moved to Mercer Island, where he stayed for the next 98 years. He attended Franklin High School before the construction of the I-90 bridge, traveling there by the Steamer Dawn, which took commuters from Mercer Island to Seattle.

He met his first wife on Mercer Island and married her in 1930; they had three children. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Washington and went on to practice as an insurance attorney.

Mr. Clarke served in the Navy during World War II and on the Mercer Island School Board from 1946-67.

He served as a state representative from 1966-71 and in the state Senate from 1971-85. While in the Senate, he negotiated Mercer Island's Park on the Lid, a green space that sits atop Interstate 90 with views of Lake Washington.

Mr. Clarke was an eager teacher who wanted to show his nine grandchildren how the Legislature operated, said his grandson, Jim Lovsted, 44, of Mercer Island. As teenagers, each got a chance to work as legislative pages for two weeks during the school year.

Running notes and meeting minutes back and forth between senators gave them a rare peek at the inner workings of the state Capitol, Lovsted said.

"He wouldn't spoil you with gifts, but he was very gracious with his time," Lovsted said.

At 6 feet 3 inches tall and about 200 pounds, Mr. Clarke was a robust man who rarely suffered from illness, his son said.

But over the years, sickness struck close members of his family. He ended up outliving three wives, two children and a brother. He grieved in private, careful not to let go in front of others, Keith Clarke said.

Mr. Clarke is survived by his son, Keith Clarke, of Port Townsend; and nine grandchildren: Steve Clarke, Leanne Clarke, Leslie and David Clarke, Karen (Lovsted) Williams, Carrie McNeil and Barbara Mote, and Carl and Jim Lovsted of Mercer Island. He also has 22 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

The family will host a celebration of his life from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Rainier Club, 820 4th Ave., in Seattle.

Remembrances may be made to the George Clarke endowment scholarship at Childhaven, 316 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122; the George Clarke endowment honor scholarship at the University of Washington, Box 352800, Seattle, WA 98195, in care of Shawn Wong, director; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com