Longtime pastor and a great neighbor went home to be with Jesus in January
By UI Connections Staff
On January 11, longtime Salt Lake Association area pastor, Dr Charles Clarke of the Bible Church of Salt Lake went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He passed following complications of pneumonia, Covid-19, and a December 2024 brain bleed following a couple of falls. He was 94. He served since the 1960s in Salt Lake City in various capacities starting with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now North American Mission Board) called as a church planting missionary to Utah out of Hampton Road Baptist Church in DeSoto, Texas.
Charles Edward Clarke was born in Beaumont, Texas to parents Jack (Dudley) and Eva Clarke. He was raised in multiple cities throughout Texas and graduated from Conroe High School in 1948. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Baylor University, receiving his first Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies and History in 1955. While attending University, he accepted a call to ministry at First Baptist Church of Conroe in 1949. He served multiple Texas churches before pastoring the Hampton Road church where he was called out to his life mission in Utah.
While serving with the HMB and settling his family in Utah, he was part of a team of planting pastors that help found a Southern Baptist Church in the unincorporated Cottonwood Heights area under the sponsorship of First Baptist Church of Kearns and Dr Charles Ray. Dr Clarke felt called to lead this growing congregation and community on the south end of the Salt Lake Valley. In 1966, he accepted the call to pastor Southeast Baptist Church (now Canyons Church of Salt Lake City). He would pastor Southeast until 1974.
Dr Clarke was always fascinated by Biblical languages and his preaching style reflected a passion for Biblical inerrancy along with a study of the languages to gain a greater understanding of God’s heart in the words. Dr Clarke was a passionate proponent of education and always sought to grow through study and pouring his life into the Word of God.
While pastoring Southeast, he became a student at the University of Utah, where he received Bachelor’s Degrees in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Biblical History, as well as a Master of Arts in Psychology. In 1989, he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion from Bethany Bible College in Dothan, Alabama, graduating Summa Cum Laude and receiving a certificate of honor in recognition of scholastic achievement.
In 1974, Charles established the Bible Church of Salt Lake, emphasizing in his sermons the importance of understanding the original contexts in which the Holy Bible was written, and teaching educational classes on Greek and Hebrew languages. His sermons are still being shared on the church website and Facebook group and are a treasure trove of thoughtful and prayerful research by Dr Clarke to help his congregation grow in their knowledge, understanding, and passion for God’s word.
In addition to being well-loved by his congregations and the lives of those he touched in ministry, Charles was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. In 1955, he married Mary Ann Richardson. In their 22 years together, they raised four children together in Texas and Utah. Mary Ann preceded Dr Clarke in death in recent years and he remained a loving father even through their separation and divorce. Charles was remarried in 1978 to the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Julia Pyper. He lived out his remaining forty-six years with her by his side, enjoying oil painting, reading, listening to music, martial arts, fishing, hunting, gardening, and above all pursuing the Lord in personal and daily bible study.
Charles’ legacy request was for the members of the Bible Church of Salt Lake to carry on his love for the Lord to its members, old and new. The Deacons of the church will continue playing recorded sermons every Sunday from 10:00AM to 12:00PM, and Wednesdays at 6:30. You can also listen to past teachings by dialing in at 712-832-8700; Code: 618-845.
Charles is survived by his loving wife whom he affectionately called his “Kiss from God”, Patricia Clarke, and children Crysta (Mark) Ellet, Charles Bradley (Jan) Clarke, Scott Edward Clarke, Sean (Katie) Rasmussen, and Angie (Scott) Helmintoller, as well as 21 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. A special thank you to Charles and Patricia’s niece and nephew, Luke and Shawnda Gillespie for their unwavering support and faithful care.
The service for Dr Clarke on January 20 was a culmination of stories that highlighted the impact Dr Clarke had on his neighbors, his children from his blended families, the testimonies of transformed lives through years of faithful service both in the pulpit and in community. The greatest testimonies came from neighbors who knew and loved Dr Clarke not for his eloquent preaching or Bible knowledge, but simply that he loved his wife immensely and was not afraid to show it. He generously gave of his time to offer grandfatherly advise to his community and neighborhood on home repairs and auto maintenance. He loved his neighbors deeply and wanted them to experience Jesus Christ in his words, action, and devotion to generously give of his time and his final years knowing about his savior who he devoted his life around. He would always share the gospel with anyone who would listen and never shunned or looked down on those who thought differently from him. His smile, compassion, and neighborly love for his community was a perfect tribute to a man who, not only devoted his career to serving Christ, he gave of his time and energy to make sure his neighbors knew this same Savior.
Upon parting ways, Charles left his friends and family with this message, and may it be true for all who loved him: “Stay Beautiful.”
Potions of this article were gleaned from information from the family through is obituary and can be found at https://www.wingmortuary.com/obituary/charles-clarke
