Born Aug. 25, 1922 in Tilghman, he was the son of the late Robert Risdon North Jr. and Effie Elva Tarr North. He graduated from Easton High School in 1939.
In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Fleet Radio Unit as Chief Specialist (Q) Intelligence. He received an honorable discharge in 1946.
In 1947, Mr. North received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Baltimore and was admitted to practice law in Maryland. That year he began practicing in Easton, continuing to practice law here until his death. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore.
In 1950, he was the youngest man ever elected from Talbot County to the Maryland House of Delegates. After serving a four-year term in the House, he won election in 1954 to the State Senate. He won three terms (12 years) in the Senate. He served on two major committees, Judiciary and Finance, and chaired the Banking and Insurance Committee.
Sen. North was a member of the Christ Church, Easton, where he served as a Lector. He was a member of the Talbot County Bar Association, the Maryland Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
He also was a member of the E.E Streets, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5118, and American Legion Post No. 70, Easton.
A Mason, he was a member of Coates Lodge No. 102. A.F. & A.M., Salisbury Lodge of Perfection, Salisbury Chapter of Rose Croix, Chesapeake Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he had advanced to the 32nd Degree; Boumi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Eastern Shore Shrine Club of Boumi Temple.
Sen. North is survived by his wife, the former Vivian Marina Butt of Annapolis, whom he married April 25, 1953; two sons, John-Clarence North Jr. of Indianapolis, Ind., and Steven Matthew North of Easton; a daughter, Amy North Gagnon of Savage; two sisters, Edna N. Henry and Eva N. Hubbard, both of Easton; and a brother, Robert North Jr. of Annapolis; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Christ Church, Easton, on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery, Easton.
Friends may call at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Easton, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1306, Easton, MD 21601 or the Memorial Hospital Foundation, P. O. Box 1846, Easton, MD 21601.