James M. Clark

James Clark, 54, of Washington, Kansas, died Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marsysville. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 23 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington. Pastor Judy Hill officiated. Sheila Ouellette was the organist and Dr. Jim Smart sang "How Great Thou Art" and "In The Garden." The congregation sang "Amazing Grace." Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bob "Boz" Bohan, Glenn McKinney, Kenny Hartner, David Funke, Mark Wilman, Chuck Votipka, Greg Laflen and Arthur Schottel. Honorary bearers were Richard Krueger, Kenny Waterman, Craig Dankenbring, Kevin Keller, Gene Stoker, Carl Massey, Troy Jensen, Jim Ayers, Darrell Gingles, JR Rosenquist and Mike Clark. Jim was born on July 25, 1956 at Washington to Lyle and Theresa (Depew) Clark. He grew up in Greenleaf and attended school at Washington, graduating in 1974. He was united in marriage to Terri Neu on August 18, 1979. He and Terri moved to Potter, NE and he worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a lineman for 4 years. When his father died, they moved to Greenleaf and opened Fireball & Terri’s Tavern. In 1984 he started working for KDOT and moved back to Washington in 1986. In the 90’s he opened his own business JC’s Tree Shearing. Jim coached girls’ softball for 15 years, enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle, helping others and being with family and friends. Jim attended Alcoholic Anonymous and he was especially proud of being sober for 9,864 days (27 years 9 days.) Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glen Clark and Loren Clark; and sister-in-law, Jan Clark. He is survived by Terri, his wife of 31 years; daughters, Mistina Baker and husband Jeremy of Morrowville, Stephanie Kern and husband Ryan of Washington; sister Juanita Anderson and husband Derrick of Topeka; a nephew, Michael Clark of Waco, TX; father-in-law, Wayne Neu of Washington; and grandchildren, McKenzie and Tanner Baker. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James M. Clark, please visit our flower store.