Gerald Scott Clark

Gerald (Jerry) Scott Clark died peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at home surrounded by family in Atascadero, CA. Jerry was an only child born to James and Dorothy Clark in Richmond, CA. He was raised there until the age of 8, when the family relocated to Grass Valley, CA. He spent the rest of his youth there involved in 4-H and later, FFA, with multiple projects and interests. He enjoyed all species of livestock, horse-back riding, fishing, shooting sports and spending time with his precious dog. He graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1969.

Jerry continued his education at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA where he received his Associates of Arts degree. While attending junior college there, he met his future wife, Pamela Benton. They married in 1972 and moved to San Luis Obispo, CA where he attended California Polytechnic State University and received both his Bachelors degree and Masters of Science in Agriculture. Shortly thereafter he began student teaching at Templeton High School. Upon completion, he began his first Vocational Agriculture teaching job at Galt High School. Wanting to get back to the Central Coast, he was offered a job teaching Vo-Ag back at Templeton High School in 1976. He spent the majority of his career there as the Department Head and serving “the kids” at THS in all capacities with timeless hours involving ag projects & activities. Jerry finished his teaching career with 6 years at Cal Poly as a professor and Teacher in Residence for those students wanting to become ag teachers - and there was no one better to do just that. His passion for and love of teaching has touched hundreds in not thousands of students. During his nearly 40 years of teaching, he received numerous awards of recognition, but the most important to him was the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association Hall of Fame awarded at his alma mater, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2018.

Jerry’s career and accolades were important but nothing more than the love for his family. He made sure to invest the time with his wife, children and grandchildren over the years, never missing an important event. Annual summer vacations were spent at Lake Nacimiento skiing and camping, adventures to the redwoods, Lake Tahoe, Yellowstone and beyond. Regular visits to Grass Valley were always in play to see extended family and to catch up with friends. After his retirement, and their children left the nest, he and Pam went on many trips in their fifth wheel to enjoy the great outdoors mostly in the western states and Canada. He thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and time spent with Pam. His other passion was tending to a flock of sheep that produced club lambs for the local fairs. He was driven by wanting to assist kids getting started in 4-H and FFA projects, always at the ready to pay a visit or take a phone call.

The loving family he leaves behind includes his wife Pam, Kevin (Melissa) Clark, Susan Clark Beebe, Matt (Ali) Clark and Chad (Kim) Clark.

“Bumpa” will be fondly remembered by his seven grandchildren, Cora Clark, Orion Clark, Brook Clark, Morgan Clark, Tyler Puentes, Brayden Beebe & Kinsley Beebe. Two great-grandchildren will come to know Bumpa through stories of him as shared by their parents and grandparents.

Jerry’s family will have a private scattering of ashes in the fall in this favorite spot in the mountains.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jerry’s name to:

Templeton FFA

Attn: Ag Department

1200 S. Main Street

Templeton, CA 93465