Adelaide pilot Gary Clarke dies in United States tragedy

An SA pilot working in the US has died coming home from an Aussie rules match in the Californian capital – with his shattered family paying tribute to their adventurous and loving “idol”.

Gary Clarke died in the US on May 4. Picture: GoFundMe

An Adelaide pilot who died while working in the US has been described by family as an “extraordinary man” who lived “an amazing adventurous life”.

Gary Clarke, 56, was crossing a freeway in the California capital Sacramento on May 4 when he was struck and killed.

It is understood that the South Australian had worked as a helicopter pilot in the United States, helping put out fires, since 2020.

According to news.com.au, his wife Karen Clarke learned of her husband’s death after a Google search of his name.

The pair have a son and a daughter – Bailey and Lauren – and Mr Clarke was due to return home to Adelaide this Saturday, May 18.

Gary Clarke was struck by a motorcycle. Picture: GoFundMe

Gary’s sisters took to social media sharing their heartbreak and posting tributes to the man they both decsribed as their “hero”.

Jo Clarke Winter said she struggled to find the words to say goodbye to her big brother.

“He was my hero, and my Idol. I held him so high on the pedestal he touched the clouds. He lived an amazing adventurous life doing just what he wanted to do,” she posted.

“My heart is shattered and the tears won’t stop. I am going to miss him more than he will ever know.”

Vikki Paealiki also paid tribute to her late brother.

“Extraordinary man, extraordinary life, extraordinarily difficult at times, even more extraordinary not to admire. You were my hero,” she posted.

Family friend Kylie Payne told The Advertsier Mr Clarke worked as a helicpoter pilot

“He was away for six-to-eight weeks at a time, he was meant to be back Saturday this week,” she said.

“He’s a first responder - they go and fight fires, deliver suplies to towns cut off and those sorts of things.

“Where ever there is an emergency they go and support.”

Ms Payne said Mr Clarke had been playing AFL with a local club in Sacramento on Friday night before he died.

She said it was on his walk home - a walk he had done many times before - when tragedy stuck as he routinely went to cross the road.

Mr Clarke’s wife told media her late husband was friendly and “made friends everywhere he went”.

“He was the most sociable man I’d ever met,” she said.

Gary Clarke died in a tragic accident in California. Picture: GoFundMe

She said her husband told friends, “If ever anything happened to him … bring him home and bury him here in the Adelaide Hills”.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family bring the body back home, an exercise that could cost up to $50,000.

The crowd-funding effort has so far raised almost $34,000 since going live five days ago.

Ms Payne, who organised the GoFundMe, said Mr Clarke’s funeral was likely to be held on Monday, May 20.

“The costs to bring a loved one back are a lot more than you think and all costs are paid upfront,” she said.

“Gary had limited insurance which will take some time to access.

“On behalf of the family we thank you sincerely.”

If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe, you can do so here: gofundme.com/f/gary-clarke-in-memoriam