Clark F. James Jr.

Clark Franklin “Bud” James, Jr., 95, of Louisville, Kentucky and Longboat Key, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Bud was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Clark F. Sr. and Marie Rudio James. A graduate of St. Xavier High School and the University of Kentucky, Bud served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. Following his service, he was a civil engineer in the state of Kentucky and worked across the southeast for his own firm. He was an avid golfer, an exceptional poker player, an expert baker, and made the best pâté the world has ever known. Bud loved all sports, particularly baseball, and was a Kentucky Wildcat through and through. He is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Lee Alma (Dillon) James and his son, Michael Leslie James. Survivors include his granddaughter, Megan James Sorby (Tom), great granddaughter, Piper Jane Sorby, niece, Sandy Price (Scott), grand-nephew, Stephen Price, grand-niece, Morgan James, as well as a host of family he chose, including Kitty and Ken Kelly, Tanner (Kimi), Jordan, Knox and Rowan Kelly.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Bud’s honor at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to PGA Hope, PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA of America REACH Foundation, 1916 PGA Parkway, Frisco, TX 75033 (https://www.pgareach.org/donate) and SouthEast Beagle Rescue, 7300 SW 155th Street, Dunnellon, FL 34432 (https://www.southeastbeaglerescue.org/info/donate).