John P. Clarke II, 68, Hays, died Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at HaysMed.
He was born May 17, 1957 in Hays, the son of John P. and Barbara Jean (Leiker) Clarke. He graduated from Jetmore High School in 1975 and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1979. On June 5, 1982 he was united in marriage to Jayne Einsel in Greensburg, Kansas. John was a Certified Public Accountant who began his banking career in 1983 with Emprise Bank in Hays. He served as EVP and CFO for the bank until 2004. He was also on the Emprise Bank Board of Directors from 1990-2004.
In November 2004, John became a founding partner for Bank of Hays and served the bank as a member of the Board of Directors and President/CFO until his death. He served as a member of the Kansas Bankers Association’s Bank Benefits Committee and served as a member of the Board of Directors of Data Center, Inc., Hutchinson, Kansas, a full-service core bank data processing provider to banks across the nation.
In 2024, John received the Nation Meyer Innovative Banker award at the annual DCI Conference. He served on the Board of Directors for the FHSU Foundation and continued to support FHSU by lending his banking knowledge and experience as a guest speaker to many different FHSU classes. He also served on the Board of Directors for Smoky Hill Country Club.
John was an avid golfer who loved playing with his numerous friends and family and was proud of his four hole-in-ones that he carded, one with a broken toe. His ability to keep track of golf scores, handicaps, and wagers for his group were always announced on the following tee box. He was an avid KU fan, proudly owned one share of his beloved Green Bay Packers and enjoyed playing blackjack with his dad, brothers, and his daughter. John enjoyed keeping track of his weather station, was the family IT person, and his granddaughter Rylee was his pride and joy.
Survivors include his wife Jayne of Hays, daughter Paige Clarke of Kansas City, MO, granddaughter Rylee Stewart, his father John Clarke and wife Sabra Clarke of Ness City, his mother Barbara Clarke of Garden City, brothers Robert 'Bob' Clarke (Diana) of Lancaster, CA, Jerry Clarke (Jane) of Ness City, Jeff Clarke (Marjie) of Garden City, and Tad Clarke (Scott Hayes) of Providence, RI, and numerous nieces, nephews, and golfing buddies.
He was preceded in death by niece, Danielle Clarke.
A celebration of John’s life will begin from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A parish vigil and rosary will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. The celebration will continue on Sunday from 1:00 pm until 3:00 at Smoky Hill Country Club. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Heartland Community Foundation – ARC Park fund, or to Hays High School – Golf Fund. Condolences and memories of John may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.