Former Augusta commissioner and The Augusta Press columnist John Clarke has suffered a heart attack and is on life support.
Augusta Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice confirmed Clarke is in very serious condition at Doctors Hospital and urged the community to pray for his recovery.
“The community of Augusta-Richmond County, please keep praying for him,” Rice said. “He’s still in the game, and we all want prayers said, and that’s how he would do if it were me or you.”
Clarke was treated for an illness over the holidays but appeared to recover and was in good spirits during his latest public appearances. He attended last week’s public hearing of the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission as he did most Augusta Commission meetings.
“He was his usual self, out and about, gregarious, cutting up and being John,” Rice said.
Rice said she’s been in close contact with Clarke’s companion, Debbie, who is with him.
“My heart goes out to his children and Debbie,” she said.
Clarke took office in late 2018, assuming the post early after the untimely death of Grady Smith, Rice’s father, in office that year. Clarke served a single full term before he was replaced as Super District 10 commissioner by Wayne Guilfoyle.
Clarke began writing a column for The Augusta Press in January 2023.
