Stephen Francis Clarke passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 in Denver, Colorado from complications of ALS. “Steve”, was born on October 12, 1946 in Greenville, South Carolina. Upon graduating from Greenville High School, Steve entered The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, from which he graduated in 1968 and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate by the Air Force and was a member of the Junior Sword Drill. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. During his four years in the Air Force he served as an Intelligence Officer and was based in Denver, Phoenix and Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he was an Intelligence Officer in a Special Operations Squadron located in the central highlands near the Laotian border. Steve was awarded the Bronze Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star for his service there. After his four-year obligation to the military, Steve enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Utah. Upon graduation in 1973 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he had fallen in love with the beautiful blue skies of the Rocky Mountains. In Denver he joined Coldwell Banker, now CBRE, as one of the first nine individuals to open the Denver office. Steve left Coldwell Banker in 1981 to join Lakeview Properties, the predecessor to Prime West Companies, a commercial real estate, development, investment, and management company. In 1991, Steve purchased Prime West and has been owner and CEO since that time. He was actively involved in the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties (NAOIP), serving as President of the Colorado Chapter and on its National Board. Several buildings developed by Prime West have received design awards. Included in the many awards and recognitions Steve has received, NAOIP of Colorado named him ‘Developer of the Year’, three times. Steve was also recognizably involved in the Urban Land Institute and led the Colorado Executive Club as President. Steve remained well respected for his dedication to each project he was involved with and admired for his excellent work throughout his professional career. Steve was dedicated to giving back to the community in which he lived. He served as Chairman of Trustees for the exceptional Colorado Children’s Chorale. While a member of the Board of Trustees of Graland Country Day School (GCDS), Steve spearheaded the plans for work needed to complete a building project he considered one of his finest, the Field House for GCDS. His contributions of time and funds impacted a wide range of Colorado institutions and programs involved with health care, children, and education. His personal pursuits included golf, at which he admittedly was not very good; traveling, reading, and most importantly time spent with his family and friends. Steve will always be remembered by his high ethical standards, a great sense of humor and devotion to his family. His continued demonstration of honesty, passion and integrity remains his legacy for those who worked with and loved him. Steve is survived by his beloved wife Lia Clarke, his two daughters Ashley and Taylor Clarke, from his deceased wife, Betty Clarke. His two step-children, Tiana and Robert Wasinger. Also living are his brother Ray Clarke, sisters Cely Smith and Jill LePorte. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Denver, Colorado. Those wishing to honor Stephen F. Clarke are encouraged to make a donation to the ALS Foundation, ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter, In honor of Stephen F. Clarke, 10855 Dover Street, Suite 500, Westminster, CO 80021.
Posted in: Denver Post
Posted on: 2016-02-29
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/denverpost/obituary.aspx?n=stephen-francis-clarke&pid=177863064&fhid=4386#sthash.8jY7R7PX.dpuf