Mr. Michael Steven Clarke, "Mike", of North Chesterfield, VA, departed this earthly life Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Hanover Health and Rehabilitation Center, Mechanicsville, VA.

Mike was born in Chesterfield County, VA, on January 6, 1950, and was the third child of five children under the union of the late Joseph Raymond Clarke, Sr., and Evelyn Estelle Clarke.  He was predeceased in death by three of his siblings, Lionel Bruce, Wayne Terence, and Joseph Raymond Clarke, Jr.

At an early age Mike accepted Christ and was baptized at the historic First Baptist Church-Centralia in North Chesterfield, VA. In his childhood, Mike never wavered in his love for his family and his friends. His late friend, Douglas Washington gave him a pet cat, and Mike named him "H. Rap Brown" after the famous Black Panther Party activist. Mike loved playing baseball with his neighborhood friends - the late Butch Preston and Lafaye Turner, and a host of others. Mr. Earl Hickerson, a family friend and advocate for African American youth in the community, often took the neighborhood male youth to local baseball games.

Mike attended G.W. Carver High School and was an "A" student - often helping his fellow classmates with homework and to pass tests. He often landed in trouble because of it but loved taking care of his friends. His gift for gab and storytelling were his strong suits. In the summer of 1965, Mike was selected to attend the Upward Bound program at Virginia Union University. Later, Mike was employed at Defense General Supply Center and Reynolds Metals Company.

During the Disco era of the 1970s to 1980s, Mike, Terry and late friends, Bear, Duck, Boon, Michael Scott, as well as TJ and Ross, used their musical equipment and talent to form "The Group" playing disco music at various venues in the Tri-City area. In 1978, The Group changed its name to "The Disco Kings".  He loved music and Frankie Beverly and Maze was his favorite artist. Mike was the life of the party, the great storyteller, with his unforgettable laugh and that Clarke smile. One thing about his life, he did it his way, "Check That."

Mike was fun loving and was the "social media of friendship" as he was comfortable connecting, talking, and making relationships with anyone he encountered. He was a great Dad and loved all of his family.

Mike leaves to cherish his sons, Gil Clarke, Tyronne Hinton (Latoya) and Michael Townes; daughters, Michelle Clarke and Shauneice Harris; his sister, Cynthia Harvey; nieces, Kimberly Smith Akers, Tisha Nicholson (Marion) and Ashley Harvey; grandchildren, Tileef Smith, Ciel McCoy, Morgan Cary, Hunikqua McAllister; Aniya Crossman and Nazario Mendez; great grandson, A'sonn Smith; devoted and loving friends, Janice Watkins and Ruth Harris; devoted cousin, Melany Clarke-Moore and Derwin Clarke; devoted sister-in-law, Marchia Clarke; devoted friend, Bruce Howard Friend, G.W. Carver classmates Mary Smith, Betsy White, Bobby Day, and Walter Cheatham; and a host of other relatives, classmates, and friends.

Happy Feelin's to a life well-lived!

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Minister Gregory Gallop, Jr., eulogist.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5818248?fl=so&fe=fs