James Larry Clark, 85, of North Manchester, died on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Timbercrest Senior Living Community, Crestwood Center.
Jim was born on December 1, 1939, to the late George and Hazel (Steele) Clark in North Liberty. There he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Faye Holderread on August 10, 1958. Together, they had four children.
In the 1960’s the family moved to North Manchester where Jim would be employed by Manchester (College) University first on the maintenance staff and then, at the encouragement of his employer and after taking courses in business and finance, as the manager of the college bookstore until his retirement over 35 years later. After retirement, Jim and Donna enjoyed 15 winters in southern Texas.
Jim was a lifelong member of the Church of the Brethren in the North Liberty, Eel River, Roann, and North Manchester congregations. In those congregations he served in many capacities including on church boards, stewardship committees, and as a deacon. Until very late in life, Jim read devotions every morning. His hobbies included square dancing, mushroom hunting, camping, game nights with friends, reading, and yard work. He was a tireless worker who expanded and maintained their home in North Manchester for six decades until 2023.
Jim is survived by sons Michael (Andrea) Clark of Butler, PA, and Doug (Sharon) Clark of Boonville, IN., and daughter Sherry (Chris) Bowman of Manassas, VA; seven grandchildren: Joshua (Sarah) Clark, Melissa (Vinh) Bowman-Au of Germantown, MD., Jacob (Janell Joyner) Bowman of Lanham, MD., Emily Clark of Fort Wayne, Rachel Clark, Anthony Clark, and Nathaniel Clark of Boonville; and two great-grandchildren, Liêm and Liễu Bowman-Au, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a son, Stephen James Clark. Also predeceased are his six siblings: Keith Clark, Donald Clark, Kenneth Clark, Lloyd Clark, Lucy Claudio, and Joyce Halt.
Services will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in the Timbercrest Chapel 2201 East Street, North Manchester. Visitation begins at 2:30, funeral service at 3:00, and interment following at Ulrey Cemetery, Silver Lake, Indiana. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester.
Memorial contributions in Jim’s name can be made to the North Manchester Church of the Brethren.
