Clarke Joseph Gernon Sr., was a man of many talents and passions. With a penchant for problem solving and investigation, Clarke Sr. devoted himself to advancing and perfecting the southern grown Christmas Tree at his family farm, Shady Pond Tree Farm in Maude, Louisiana near the town of Pearl River.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on the third day of Christmas, December 27, 1944, Clarke Sr.'s family moved from the city to Shady Pond Farm in 1955, named for the pond adjacent to the main house and shaded by several mature live oak trees. The family pursued the joys of country life, delving into horses, cattle ranching & milking, and growing & baling Bahia grass for hay. Clarke Sr. continued his secondary education in the city, graduating from Cor Jesu High School (now known as Brother Martin) in 1962. Clarke Sr. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1968 and a Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics in 1971, both from Louisiana State University.

Early in his career as a professional mechanical engineer, Clarke Sr. found his gift for solving unique and complex mechanical problems. Some of his most notable projects were designing a processing facility for a manganese anti-knock compound for motor fuels, developing an Ibuprofen bulk manufacturing plant, the conversion of Fort Dietrich from biological and chemical weapons production to a cancer research facility, and a viscosity improver processing facility for crankcase oils. An interest in model trains as a hobbyist led Clarke Sr. to develop and patent a precision indexing mechanism used by model railroaders to provide remote control to roundhouse structures. Later in his professional career, he consulted as a Forensic Mechanical Engineer and provided expert testimony on fires, engine fuel systems, automotive systems, agricultural equipment, hand tools and explosions.

In 1979, he started a pursuit that would define the latter half of his life, that of a Christmas Tree grower at his family's farm, applying his analytical mind to agriculture. While the Virginia Pine tree was a popular southern Christmas tree in the early eighties, Clarke Sr. was not content with this single offering and pursued and helped popularize the growing of several "exotic" trees in the south, including the Eastern Red Cedar, King William's Pine, Deodar Cedar, Carolina Sapphire and the most popular of these trees, the Leyland Cypress with its many cultivars. Along the way, Clarke Sr. designed and built a variety of tree farming equipment to improve agricultural techniques while increasing speed and reducing labor costs.

In the mid 2010's, Clarke Sr. noticed one of these trees planted at his farm, the Leighton Green cultivar of the Leyland Cypress exhibited some hardier and faster growing characteristics, leading him to believe he was witnessing a unique mutation to the tree making it different and better than the others. This observation led to the official recognition in 2018 of the Leighton Green-Gernon as a unique cultivar of the Leyland Cypress by the Royal Horticultural Society. These trees have been grown and sold at Shady Pond Tree Farm ever since.

After completing over 40 seasons selling Christmas Trees to the communities of southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Clarke Sr. passed away on Christmas Eve 2023 after a brief illness. A fitting exit to a man who devoted most of his adult life making the Christmas season special for so many people.

Clarke Sr. loved his family, telling stories of old, and watching the wildlife at his farm—he especially liked it when the Canadian Geese would come to the farm in late fall on their way south. He enjoyed a rich cup of Community Coffee, and a nice bowl of turtle soup, preferably from Brennan's. He was a unique man, and he will be missed.

He is survived by son, Clarke J. Gernon, Jr. (Robin Keegan), granddaughter, Lilian M. Gernon (Trevor Munn), great grandson, Bennett J. Munn, brother, Edward J. 'Jim' Gernon, Jr. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward J. Gernon, Sr.; mother, Mary Emma Harvey Gernon, and sisters, Mary Kathleen Gernon Catalanotto, Elizabeth Ann Gernon Abel, and Olive Mae Gernon Soulant.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the General Abbey Fund for Saint Joseph Abbey (https://www.saintjosephabbey.com/donate-abbey-general-fund).

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Abbey, 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA. 70457 on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 2:00 P.M.

Visitation at the abbey on Friday after 1:00 P.M. until funeral time.

A private interment will be held at a later date next to his parents and his niece in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Slidell, Louisiana.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA