Frank "Frankie" Christopher Clarke

Frank “Frankie” Christopher Clarke, 62, of Huntingtown, Maryland passed away on Friday, May 8th. Frankie was born in Washington, DC on October 17, 1957 to Jane Nina Clarke and the late Deacon Frank Duval Clarke.The family moved to Temple Hills, Maryland in 1962. He attended St. John’s Catholic School, Tawny Middle School and Crossland High School, graduating in 1975. Frankie participated in many school activities, including Jazz Ensemble, and formed musical connections that would last a lifetime. While in high school, Frankie formed several bands, including Ashwood, Nautilus and the Musical Marauders. He enjoyed playing with different musicians and experimenting with style, and continued to develop variations of bands. (His most recent was “Last Remains,” a Led Zeppelin tribute band). By age 16, he was being paid for gigs, and so began his professional music career. He opened for Edgar Winter, who taught him the important lesson that something can be learned from everyone, including what not to do. Frankie worked with D.C.’s renowned band, “(The) Razz,” and friended other iconic D.C bands, including the Slickee Boys and Root Slim. While developing his own eponymous rockband, “Frankie and the Actions.” He often played at the Psyche Delly in Bethesda, and opened three times for The Ramones, at the University of Maryland’s Grand Ballroom in College Park, as well the Bayou in Georgetown. Frankie was an accomplished professional musician who wrote his own music and lyrics, and played in numerous venues throughout the D.C. metropolitan area, and Southern Maryland. He was also an accomplished artist, scholar and poet. He graduated with honors from the University of Maryland, earning his Bachelor’s degree, as well as the 1993 Poet Laureate Award. Frankie went on to earn a Master’s degree in English Literature. He taught in Prince George’s County, Maryland at Crossland High School, Oxon Hill High School and Potomac High School (where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth, an Art teacher, whom he married in 1998) as well as Prince George’s Community College, after which he took a position as Professor of English Literature at Bowie State University. At the time of his death, he was employed at Thomas Stone High School, in Waldorf, Maryland. He taught English and multi-media production, holding certifications in both English and Art. Frankie has produced several albums, including Stripped to the Bone, Generation Why, and the most recent, Chaos, released in 2019. His music is available on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Deezer, Spotify and as he would say, “everywhere else on the planet.” Frankie was a member of the Knights of Columbus (3rd degree), Chapter 4077, in Forestville, Maryland and a parishioner at Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church in Huntingtown, Maryland. Frankie is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Turner Clarke, and his three children, Zoe Elizabeth, Nina Rosario, and Nicolas Alfano Clarke, as well as his mother, Jane Nina Clarke. He is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law: Loretta Clarke, William and Julie Turner, Charles Turner, Joan Turner, John and Kim Turner, Ed and Mary Turner, Patricia Turner and Robert Goodman; and many nieces and nephews: Lora and Morgan Clarke; John, Joe, Grace, James and Mary Turner; Gabe and Thomas Turner; Katherine, Philip, and Patrick Turner; and Olivia and Madeline Goodman. He was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Paul Clarke, and his father, Frank Duval Clarke. Lee Funeral Home in Owings, Maryland will host a pass through tribute on Wednesday, May 13th and Thursday, May 14th from 2-8 pm in the portico of the Funeral Home. Please note: Friends will be viewing and paying tribute inside your vehicle. When you enter into the funeral home’s parking lot, you will be directed around to the front of the funeral home. Your first stop will be signing the register book at the front entry of the funeral home. Your second stop will be slowly driving through the funeral home portico where the Clarke family will be receiving friends. To comply with Maryland Executive Orders and social distancing, we kindly request friends to remain in their vehicles. Funeral service and burial on Friday, May 15th are private. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to accept donations for the family of Frankie Clarke: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donations-for-family-of-frankie-clarke?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frank "Frankie" Christopher Clarke please visit our Sympathy Store.