Leon Monroe "Coach" Clarke

Glade Spring, Va.  

Leon Monroe “Coach” Clarke, beloved son, brother, uncle, coach and singer of songs was called home on October 23, 2018 at Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie, Virginia.  Leon graduated from Appalachia High School in Appalachia, Virginia in 1952. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956 (Guam) during the Korean Conflict.  Leon was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tennessee.  He taught in Washington and Russell Counties and retired from Carroll County Public Schools.  He then chose to reside in Glade Spring, Va. to care for his mother.  Leon taught several subjects including business, English and Spanish, and coached a variety of boys’ and girls’ sports, of which many of his girls’ basketball teams displayed success, on and off the court.  As a coach he helped lead the 1972 8th grade boys’ football team to an undefeated season at Hillsville Intermediate School.

Leon was a faithful member of Byars-Cobbs Memorial United Methodist Church of Glade Spring, Va. and served on many committees, was a Sunday School teacher, and beloved choir member who provided solo presentations and often sang with the Emory & Henry College Choir.  He loved to tell humorous jokes and stories.   Leon’s many hobbies included gardening, playing basketball, tennis, and golf, and was an avid supporter of Patrick Henry High School and Emory & Henry College athletics. Leon enjoyed traveling to Michigan, California and Florida to visit his brother John and to view a large variety of college and professional sports. 

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. John C., Sr. and Daisy Percival Clarke, brothers John C. Clarke, Jr., and Rev. Robert E. (Bob) Clarke, and sister Helen Faye Clarke Ruble.  Leon was also preceded in death by his nephew, Steven E. Clarke, and nieces, Linda Faye Ruble and Robin Joylyn Clarke Freeman. 

Leon is survived by his sisters-in-law, Florence E. (Flo) Clarke of Chilhowie, Va., and Kathleen Clarke of Spring City, Fla.  Survivors also include his loving nephews and spouses, Alan and Linda Ruble of Rural Retreat, Va. and Randy and Cuba Ruble of Meadowview, Va. and his great- nephews, great-nieces and their children.   Leon will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students and fellow residents at Valley Health Care Center.  

A celebration of Leon’s life will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, with Rev. Donnie Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Holston Conference-Emory & Henry Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Air Force. Pallbearers will be Danny Ruble, David Ruble, Bill Call, Joe Adair, David Ryburn, Mike Dutton and Jim Hammond.  Honorary pallbearers will be men of the Byars-Cobbs church family.   Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Byars-Cobbs Memorial Methodist Church Organ Fund at P.O. Box 667, Glade Spring, VA 24340. 

Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. 

The family of Leon Monroe “Coach” Clarke is in the care of Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276- 623-2700).