James Vernon Clark (2011)

CLARK, DUNMIRE, COOPER-PURCELL, MCCARTHY, WRAY, HENRY

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 12/22/2011 at 21:00:28

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
December 21, 2011

JAMES CLARK, WINTERSET

James Vernon Clark, age 75, died at his home in rural Winterset, Iowa on Dec. 14, 2011. James was born in Winterset, Iowa on June 7, 1936.

No services are being planned. A private interment of the cremains will take place at a later date at McDonald Chase Cemetery in rural Winterset, Iowa.

James attended Washington country school in Douglas Township until 1945 when he then attended Earlham Community School, graduating in 1955. On June 17, 1956, James and high school sweetheart Barb Dunmire were married. James worked at Schiff’s Shoe store in Des Moines and later at the Creston Shoe Store in Creston, Iowa. He then worked as a farm hand near Clarion, Iowa, before moving to California. Upon returning to Iowa, James worked for a construction company building tall grain elevators throughout the Midwest. James also worked as an amusement ride mechanic and served in the Iowa National Guard for seven years. James and Barbara were eventually divorced as well as a second wife Betty Cooper-Purcell. Eventually James moved to Florida, where he spent 30 years working as a mechanic. James married his third wife Bess McCarthy on June 7, 1979. In the fall of 2004, James moved back to his parent’s home place near Earlham.

He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil Vernon and Helen Irene (Wray) Clark; and a sister Catharine May Clark.

He is survived by daughters Julia Clark of Des Moines and Jacqulyn Clark of Bussey, Iowa; sons James Clark II of Des Moines and Jeffrey Clark of Creston; a sister, Nancy Rae Clark Henry; brothers Steven Craig Clark and Martin Douglas Clark; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuhn Funeral Homes.