Dr. Thomas Bernard DeClerk passed away January 10, 2018, at his home. He was born March 7, 1922, in Pocahontas and was the seventh of eight children born to Ben J. and Catherine Frangenberg DeClerk. He spent his boyhood growing up on "Catholic Hill". He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and attended St. Paul Parochial School. He graduated from Subiaco Academy, where he earned awards in academics and character. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas and interned at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. He enter the Army and served in the Army Air Corps and United States Air Force, where he graduated from the School of Aviation Medicine and became a flight surgeon during World War II. He later earned an underwater medicine certification.
After leaving the service, Dr. DeClerk returned to Pocahontas, where he practiced general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for 37 years, delivering approximately 2,500 babies. Early in his practice, he made many house calls to patients who were too sick or otherwise unable to get to the clinic. In 1942, he married Ula Thennes and they became parents of nine children. After the passing of his first wife, Ula, he married Kathleen Kincaide. They were married until her passing in 2013.
Dr. DeClerk was very active in civic affairs. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served as a board member for the Pocahontas Area Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in organizing Planters and Stockmen Bank, where he served continuously as a director. He also held the office of president and served as chairman of the Board of Director of the bank. Dr. DeClerk served as president of the Randolph County Medical Society and was a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society. He also served as chief of staff of Randolph County Medical Center.
He was active in church affairs at St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth Degree Knight and also as the Grand Knight. Before attending medical school, Dr. DeClerk carried a journeyman's card with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, following in his father's footsteps as a finish carpenter. He kept his love of woodworking throughout his life, producing many beautiful items, including a beautiful wooden canoe.
In addition to woodworking, he loved fishing, camping, and gardening. He could "fix anything". He loved having his entire family together. One of his greatest pleasures in his late years was visiting with former patients when out in the community. He was a man of great character, integrity, and goodness, who contributed unceasingly to his community.
He is survived by seven of his nine children: Bernardine Cox (Ed), Susan Rice, Diane Burnham (Jim), Thomas DeClerk Jr. (Phyllis), Martha Dust (Buck), Celeste Adams (John), Charles DeClerk (Jo). He is predeceased by his two daughters, Clare Keltner and Celine Adams and by Ula Thennes DeClerk and Kathleen Kincaide DeClerk. He is survived by 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A tireless and dedicated servant who cared for many, Thomas passionately believed in the love of Christ. He is at peace. Our only sorrow is for our loss.
All services will be at St. Paul Catholic Church. Visitation is Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary service immediately following at 4:00 P.M. The funeral mass will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Mariadass Vallapaneni officiating. Burial in St. Paul Cemetery.
After leaving the service, Dr. DeClerk returned to Pocahontas, where he practiced general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for 37 years, delivering approximately 2,500 babies. Early in his practice, he made many house calls to patients who were too sick or otherwise unable to get to the clinic. In 1942, he married Ula Thennes and they became parents of nine children. After the passing of his first wife, Ula, he married Kathleen Kincaide. They were married until her passing in 2013.
Dr. DeClerk was very active in civic affairs. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served as a board member for the Pocahontas Area Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in organizing Planters and Stockmen Bank, where he served continuously as a director. He also held the office of president and served as chairman of the Board of Director of the bank. Dr. DeClerk served as president of the Randolph County Medical Society and was a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society. He also served as chief of staff of Randolph County Medical Center.
He was active in church affairs at St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth Degree Knight and also as the Grand Knight. Before attending medical school, Dr. DeClerk carried a journeyman's card with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, following in his father's footsteps as a finish carpenter. He kept his love of woodworking throughout his life, producing many beautiful items, including a beautiful wooden canoe.
In addition to woodworking, he loved fishing, camping, and gardening. He could "fix anything". He loved having his entire family together. One of his greatest pleasures in his late years was visiting with former patients when out in the community. He was a man of great character, integrity, and goodness, who contributed unceasingly to his community.
He is survived by seven of his nine children: Bernardine Cox (Ed), Susan Rice, Diane Burnham (Jim), Thomas DeClerk Jr. (Phyllis), Martha Dust (Buck), Celeste Adams (John), Charles DeClerk (Jo). He is predeceased by his two daughters, Clare Keltner and Celine Adams and by Ula Thennes DeClerk and Kathleen Kincaide DeClerk. He is survived by 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A tireless and dedicated servant who cared for many, Thomas passionately believed in the love of Christ. He is at peace. Our only sorrow is for our loss.
All services will be at St. Paul Catholic Church. Visitation is Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary service immediately following at 4:00 P.M. The funeral mass will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Mariadass Vallapaneni officiating. Burial in St. Paul Cemetery.
Dr. Thomas Bernard DeClerk passed away January 10, 2018, at his home. He was born March 7, 1922, in Pocahontas and was the seventh of eight children born to Ben J. and Catherine Frangenberg DeClerk. He spent his boyhood growing up on "Catholic Hill". He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and attended St. Paul Parochial School. He graduated from Subiaco Academy, where he earned awards in academics and character. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas and interned at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. He enter the Army and served in the Army Air Corps and United States Air Force, where he graduated from the School of Aviation Medicine and became a flight surgeon during World War II. He later earned an underwater medicine certification.
After leaving the service, Dr. DeClerk returned to Pocahontas, where he practiced general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for 37 years, delivering approximately 2,500 babies. Early in his practice, he made many house calls to patients who were too sick or otherwise unable to get to the clinic. In 1942, he married Ula Thennes and they became parents of nine children. After the passing of his first wife, Ula, he married Kathleen Kincaide. They were married until her passing in 2013.
Dr. DeClerk was very active in civic affairs. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served as a board member for the Pocahontas Area Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in organizing Planters and Stockmen Bank, where he served continuously as a director. He also held the office of president and served as chairman of the Board of Director of the bank. Dr. DeClerk served as president of the Randolph County Medical Society and was a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society. He also served as chief of staff of Randolph County Medical Center.
He was active in church affairs at St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth Degree Knight and also as the Grand Knight. Before attending medical school, Dr. DeClerk carried a journeyman's card with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, following in his father's footsteps as a finish carpenter. He kept his love of woodworking throughout his life, producing many beautiful items, including a beautiful wooden canoe.
In addition to woodworking, he loved fishing, camping, and gardening. He could "fix anything". He loved having his entire family together. One of his greatest pleasures in his late years was visiting with former patients when out in the community. He was a man of great character, integrity, and goodness, who contributed unceasingly to his community.
He is survived by seven of his nine children: Bernardine Cox (Ed), Susan Rice, Diane Burnham (Jim), Thomas DeClerk Jr. (Phyllis), Martha Dust (Buck), Celeste Adams (John), Charles DeClerk (Jo). He is predeceased by his two daughters, Clare Keltner and Celine Adams and by Ula Thennes DeClerk and Kathleen Kincaide DeClerk. He is survived by 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A tireless and dedicated servant who cared for many, Thomas passionately believed in the love of Christ. He is at peace. Our only sorrow is for our loss.
All services will be at St. Paul Catholic Church. Visitation is Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary service immediately following at 4:00 P.M. The funeral mass will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Mariadass Vallapaneni officiating. Burial in St. Paul Cemetery.
After leaving the service, Dr. DeClerk returned to Pocahontas, where he practiced general medicine, surgery, and obstetrics for 37 years, delivering approximately 2,500 babies. Early in his practice, he made many house calls to patients who were too sick or otherwise unable to get to the clinic. In 1942, he married Ula Thennes and they became parents of nine children. After the passing of his first wife, Ula, he married Kathleen Kincaide. They were married until her passing in 2013.
Dr. DeClerk was very active in civic affairs. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served as a board member for the Pocahontas Area Chamber of Commerce. He assisted in organizing Planters and Stockmen Bank, where he served continuously as a director. He also held the office of president and served as chairman of the Board of Director of the bank. Dr. DeClerk served as president of the Randolph County Medical Society and was a member of the Arkansas State Medical Society. He also served as chief of staff of Randolph County Medical Center.
He was active in church affairs at St. Paul Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Fourth Degree Knight and also as the Grand Knight. Before attending medical school, Dr. DeClerk carried a journeyman's card with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, following in his father's footsteps as a finish carpenter. He kept his love of woodworking throughout his life, producing many beautiful items, including a beautiful wooden canoe.
In addition to woodworking, he loved fishing, camping, and gardening. He could "fix anything". He loved having his entire family together. One of his greatest pleasures in his late years was visiting with former patients when out in the community. He was a man of great character, integrity, and goodness, who contributed unceasingly to his community.
He is survived by seven of his nine children: Bernardine Cox (Ed), Susan Rice, Diane Burnham (Jim), Thomas DeClerk Jr. (Phyllis), Martha Dust (Buck), Celeste Adams (John), Charles DeClerk (Jo). He is predeceased by his two daughters, Clare Keltner and Celine Adams and by Ula Thennes DeClerk and Kathleen Kincaide DeClerk. He is survived by 22 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
A tireless and dedicated servant who cared for many, Thomas passionately believed in the love of Christ. He is at peace. Our only sorrow is for our loss.
All services will be at St. Paul Catholic Church. Visitation is Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary service immediately following at 4:00 P.M. The funeral mass will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Mariadass Vallapaneni officiating. Burial in St. Paul Cemetery.
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