Lancashire Evening Post sports journalist John Clarke has died after a battle against a brain tumour.
John was taken ill shortly before Christmas last year and his courage and optimism in the face of the gravest of situations were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Born in Slough, John joined the Evening Post in 1988 as a news subeditor after spells with the Slough Evening Mail, Sheffield Star, South Wales Echo and Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
A keen motorcyclist and avid Morecambe FC fan, John performed a number of roles at the Post, eventually settling into the position of sports subeditor and non-league reporter.
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Such was his dedication to the nonleague game that John won the respect and admiration of club officials throughout the region and his knowledge of the life outside the football league was unrivalled in Lancashire.
Away from work, John was passionate about fell-walking and enjoyed meditation and working-out.
Despite intensive spells of treatment for his illness and a bleak diagnosis, John's incredible strength of spirit helped those around him to cope.
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He died peacefully at home in Lancaster on Thursday June 15. John was 50 and leaves a wife, Gila, and a daughter, Aruna.
His funeral was held at Lancaster crematorium on Wednesday 21 June.
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