He was born April 12, 1934, in Chickamauga, GA to Bert and Grace Clark. He graduated in 1953 from Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, TN and was a member of the Wildcats football team. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.
Jim and his sweetheart Doris came to Chattanooga with Rental Equipment Company. He was later manager of Nixon Machinery. Jim retired from a rewarding sales career at Astec Industries where he was both mentor and close friend to fellow employees and many of his customers. Jim and Doris were members of Oakwood Baptist Church and servant leaders in the community. He was an ordained deacon and a member of the Ron True Sunday School Class, Alhambra Shrine, and Kentucky Colonel. Jim was a man of God who was not perfect but set the perfect example and honored as a man of his word.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mildred Clark and Madge Woody; brothers, Clell and Cleo Clark.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years (+5), Doris Doane Clark; children, James T. Clark, Jr., and Diane; Cheryl Clark; Cathy and Jim Maher; Kelly Newbould; Angie Blevins; Carla and Kenny Vaughn; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, April and Larry Zappaterrini, and Ava; Laine Clark-Balzan and Forrest Brennen; Todd and Lindsey Maher; Kristen Miller, Vivian and Evan; Rachel and Brian Pollock, Abel, Mia, and Riley; Brandon Blevins, Payton, Charles, and Lexi; and Kyndall Vaughn. He also survived by his brothers Carl, Alvin and JoAn, Jack, Ralph and Emma, and Bill Clark. Also loved by many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Special thanks and love to Juliean Borin, with Hospice of Chattanooga.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2018, at the Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, with the Rev. Ken Clark officiating.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 4-8 p.m. at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
The family will also receive friends at the church one hour before the service on Friday.
Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 p.m. with military honors.
Honorary pallbearers include beloved friends from Astec Industries and the Ron True Sunday School Class.
In memory of Jim, donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, Shriners Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist,, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga TN 37421.
Please share your memories at: ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com
