Clark, Jay James

CLARK, BOX, SHRIMP

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2005 at 18:42:53

Funeral services for Jay James Clark, 84, of Knoxville, who died on Sunday, September 10, 2000, were held on Thursday, September 14, 2000 at First Baptist Church in Knoxville. Mary Ely was organist. Barb and Irv Westberg were vocalists.

Interment was at the Graceland Cemetery. Military honors were accorded by V.F.W. John Myers Post 3519 and American Legion Baty-Tucker Post 168. Casket bearers were Jon Jones, Brett Clark, Randy Bailey, Jay Berry, Bruce Clark and Wayne Johnson.

Jay was born on February 16, 1916, on a farm near Calt, the son of Jess Wilbur and Emma Catherine (Box) Clark. He was one of 12 children. The family lived on farms in north central Iowa and later moved to a farm in Lucas County in southern Iowa.

Jay married Hazel Shrimp on April 22, 1939 in Chariton. They moved to Knoxville where Jay drove a truck before beginning work for the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville. From 1943 until his discharge in 1945 he was a Pharmacist Mate in the United States Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. General Harry Taylor. After his discharge, he returned to work at the V.A. Hospital in Knoxville until his retirement in 1971. After retiring, he did various jobs and worked for 3M from 1974 until 1979.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, woodworking and upholstering.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Knoxville and the V.F.W. He and his wife, Hazel, were active with the Senior Center until they entered Griffin Nursing Center in 1996. They resided there until 1999 when they moved to nursing centers closer to their daughter.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Larry Douglas; granddaughter, Rebecca Bailey; a sister, Eva Mae Christensen; five brothers, Wilber (Webb), Lee, Floyd, Don and Clyde.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel of Wayland; a daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and Marvin Bailey of Iowa City, four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lewis of Russell and Clifford of Knoxville; three sisters, Anna Mae Whittlesey of Abilene, Texas, Jessie Morton of Hubbard and Ruby Mills of Mason City and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church or Washington County Hospice.

Arrangements were made by Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.

Knoxville Journal Express, September 20, 2000