MARK CARLISE “HOCKY” CLARKE Funeral held Sunday

com. Mark Carlisle “Hocky” Clarke, 67, of Moscow, Texas, passed away August 2, 2024. Funeral services were Sunday, August 4 at 2 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston with Brother Lesly Wilkinson and Brother Wayne Bland officiating. Visitation was immediately before the service from 12:30 to 1:45. Interment followed at the Wright Cemetery in Onalaska.

Mark was born in Houston, Texas to W. H. (Bill) Clarke Jr. and Jessie Melba (‘Sis’ Wright) Clarke. Along with some lifelong friends, he graduated from Corrigan- Camden High School as a proud ’76 Bulldog. While in high school, Hocky played on the varsity football team all four years, receiving All-District defense honors his junior year as well as All-District defense and offense honors his senior year. During his high school years, he was also very involved in FFA and competed on the rodeo team. He attended Sul Ross State University on a football scholarship for a short time before returning to Moscow to work with his brothers in the construction business. Hock’s true passion was the rodeo. He rode bulls for a while but when Bill Garsee asked him to help clown the Polk County Youth Rodeo, Hock’s focus turned to protecting bull riders in the arena as a bull fighter and rodeo clown. Along with his best friend, Bruce Blau, they spent many years traveling across Texas and neighboring states as trusted bull fighters. Hocky had a particular devotion for serving at the Polk County Youth Rodeo where he clowned for 26 consecutive years. One of his and Bruce’s most memorable rodeos was the West, Texas rodeo which included a huge parade in town along with TV coverage and interviews. For the 50th anniversary of the PCYR in 2010, the duo wore grease paint and clown clothes for the last time.

The family would like to thank all of those who have visited and provided care to Hocky over the years. A special “thank you” is not enough to express the gratitude we feel for his dearest friend, Bruce Blau. Bruce, thank you for being the brother you have been to Hocky throughout his life here on earth. Words will never express how much you meant to him and us.

Preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill, Mark is survived by his wife Karen of Livingston; brothers Monroe Clarke of Moscow, Joe Clarke of Moscow, and Jerry Clarke of Lufkin; sister, Penny Clarke Evans of Moscow; stepchildren D.G. Reeves of Rockwall (known as ‘Hoppy’ to D.G.’s three girls) and Kara Leigh Reeves of Leander; nephews Brian Barnes of Nacogdoches, Homer Barnes of Moscow, Josh Clarke of Chester, Jay Clarke of Moscow, and David Evans III of Corrigan; nieces Jerri Boyd of Salado and Ondey Clarke of Lufkin.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Blau, Brian Barnes, Homer Barnes, Josh Clarke, Jay Clarke and David Evans III.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.