Samuel Clarke, Jr. , age 88, died on January 4, 2026 in Columbia, South Carolina. The oldest child of Marion Walker Clarke of Columbia and Samuel Laffitte Clarke of Estill, South Carolina, Sam was educated in Columbia's public schools. He was graduated in 1955 from Dreher High School and in 1959 from Davidson College with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemistry. At Davidson, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and a member of Davidson's first intercollegiate soccer team. He served as Cadet Colonel, Commander of ROTC. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 101st Airborne Division, serving under General W.C. Westmoreland. Returning to Columbia in 1963 after a 3-year tour of duty, he entered the family business of Joseph Walker and Company Cotton Merchants and, thereafter, The Standard Warehouse Company, subsequently Standard Corporation, all headquartered in Columbia.

Sam was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia. He was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club, and Springdale Hall Club in Camden. Sam was predeceased by his sister Claudia Clarke "Toddie" McNair and by Ann Lindsey Clarke, mother of their two sons. He is survived by his wife of 30-years, Cynthia; his brother Joseph Walker Clarke and brother-in-law E. Chandler McNair; two sons, Dr. Samuel Lindsey Clarke (Kelley Maghan) of Greenwood, S.C. and Brandon Holmes Clarke (Jane Stirling) of Columbia and seven grandchildren: Samuel Robert Clarke (Hannah), Elijah John Clarke, Micah Ann Clarke, David Lindsey Clarke, Joseph Biedler Clarke, all of Greenwood; and Ann Douglas Clarke and Marion Wylly Clarke of Columbia.

Sam took great interest in helping young people find work and achieve goals through hard work and determination. As a lifelong resident of Forest Hills, Sam also dedicated himself to the care and preservation of the neighborhood which his maternal grandfather Joseph Walker developed in 1925.

Memorials may be made to the Minnie Lowry Walker Fund of First Presbyterian Church (1324 Marion Street, Columbia SC 29201) and to the Hammond Student Athlete Fund (854 Galway Lane, Columbia SC 29209), both of which encourage academic excellence, athletic attainment, and character. In December 2025, Sam was awarded The Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor awarded to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of significance.

A Memorial Service will be held graveside in the churchyard of First Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock on Tuesday, January 13th with receiving and refreshments immediately thereafter. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.