- Date Of Birth: December 1, 1922
- Date Of Death: December 10, 2013
- State: Ohio
Damascus, OH – Our beloved husband, father and grandfather Clarence R. Sekerak passed on into the loving arms of his Lord, surrounded by the love, gratitude and admiration of his family on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at the Crandall Medical Center, Sebring, OH. A resident of Damascus, OH, he was an active member of the Damascus Friends Church for more than 50 years. Born December 1, 1922 in “Snydertown” (Barberton, OH), “Casey” was the youngest son of Michael and Julia (Zema [Zima]) Sekerak, Slovakian immigrants. He graduated from Barberton High School in 1940. In 1946 he graduated from Cleveland Bible College (now Malone University) with a Bachelor of Theology degree, then for 17 years served as a minister in Friends Churches in Hughesville, Pennsylvania and in Boston Heights, Alliance and Beloit (East Goshen), Ohio. On August 8, 1947 in Brownsville, PA he married his college sweetheart, Fayetta DeBord. As a Quaker minister and Youth for Christ evangelist, he toured the Holy Land and Burma, visited Friends missionaries in India, Taiwan and the Philippines, and led youth missions to Mexico, Guatemala and the Bahamas. For 10 years, he compiled and narrated an inspirational morning radio show “Sunrise Scriptures” heard on WFAH in Alliance, OH. Clarence served as Director of Public Relations for Malone College from 1963-69, then entered the investment business, establishing his own brokerage company and serving more than 500 clients for over 20 years before retiring in 2002. A lifetime learner and amateur historian, he loved researching Quaker history, including an as-yet unfinished documentation of the lives of pioneer Quakers buried in the state’s oldest Friends cemetery in Damascus, OH. His parents, a sister Helen M. (William) Broadhurst, two brothers Michael and Leonard W. Sekerak, a niece and three nephews preceded him in death. His loving wife of 66 years, Faye of Sebring, OH, survives him along with children Lois R. (Jeffrey L.) Hogan of West Newbury, MA, Nancy J. (Dr. Kenneth A.) Linstruth of Sheffield Lake, OH, Becky J. of Salem, OH, C. Richard, Jr. of Victorville, CA and Michael R. (Ann M. Valentine) of Hudson, OH, grandchildren Ross D. and Julianna B.D. Hogan, M. Rachel, Hannah M. and Michael A.J. Sekerak, sisters-in-law Helen Sokolovsky (Leonard W.) Sekerak of Barberton, OH, Winona Porter (Frederick E.) DeBord of Morgantown, WV, Gladys DeBord (Thomas E.) Ream of Springfield, MO, Lillian Johnson (C. Ralph) DeBord of East Millsboro, PA, Katherine Swaney (Howard W.) DeBord of Maple Heights, OH, and Marjorie Smith (Russell D.) DeBord of Massillon, OH and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Self-described as “Old Man Sekerak on the 13-acre hacienda on the outskirts of southern Damascus” and often wearing his red beret, he was a gifted storyteller whose ability to dramatize religious and historical facts made his eclectic interests appealing to many. His personal integrity, work ethic, spiritual faith, civic consciousness, generosity and expertise on countless topics were inspirational to those blessed to know him. He adopted the words “Let Your Life Speak” of 18th century Quaker abolitionist minister John Woolman as his personal motto. We have lost not only a precious husband, father, grandfather, friend and mentor, but also a passionate advocate of and steward for Quaker values and education and the preservation of Quaker history. Clarence and his family are so grateful for the loving care, support and prayers from family, friends, neighbors, healthcare professionals and “angel” caregivers at Copeland Oaks, Crandall Medical Center, Salem Community Hospital, Alliance Community Hospital and Hospice of the Valley. You know who you are. Thank you so much.
