Craig Stewart Clarke

Craig Stewart Clarke, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born on July 26, 1946, in Holland, Michigan, Craig was the son of the late William and Nell Jane Wissink Clarke.

Craig’s life was defined by service, intellect, and integrity. He joined ROTC at the University of Michigan and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon his graduation in 1968, the same year he married Emily Herrick (Pond) Clarke. After receiving an educational deferment, Craig earned a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Arizona and entered active duty in October 1970 as an Ordnance Officer. His first assignment was at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, where he and Emily spent four years before he was sent to Korea as a Platoon Leader in a Missile Maintenance Company.

Upon returning to Redstone Arsenal, Craig was accepted into the Army’s Excess Leave Program to attend law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. After completing Army basic legal training, he returned to Redstone Arsenal, this time as a member of the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a contract law attorney, he worked extensively on missile contracts, passed the patent bar, and served in the Patent Division before attending the Army Advanced JAG Course.

While stationed at Redstone Arsenal, Craig’s children were born. The twins, Bridger Wesley and Ashley Herrick were named after national forests in Wyoming, a part of the country that was near to his heart and that he frequented often.

In 1984 Craig was assigned as an Army Trial Attorney in Contract Appeals and his family moved to the Washington DC area where he had two noteworthy assignments. He retired from military service there in 1992 and accepted a civilian position, working for the Army as a civil service trial attorney. Craig spent over 20 years in that office, ultimately serving as the Chief Trial Attorney. In 2018 he was selected, and confirmed, as a Judge for the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and served in that capacity for 5 years before he retired in 2022. He loved the law and his work.

Outside of work, Craig loved hiking and camping, particularly in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. He was an avid runner, and it was always a part of his daily routine. He loved to cook, loved to sail, loved music, and loved to talk about life’s lessons to all who would listen. Craig was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children, Bridger becoming a doctor and Ashley a lawyer, and both marrying spouses he loved, daughter-in-law Caitlin Clarke, and son-in-law, Keith Ganci.

In retirement Craig and Emily moved to Charlotte to be closer to family and grandchildren, of which he had five: William Curtis Clarke (16), Nash Hudson Ganci (12), Ruby Briar Ganci (9), Nathan Wesley Clarke (7) and Willow Madison Ganci (6).

Craig faced Parkinson's disease later in life but continued to travel with Emily and take holiday and beach trips with family. Craig will be remembered for his service, integrity, and devotion to his family.

A service and inurnment for Craig will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Family may be contacted at [email protected] for notification of time and date of the service.

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