James (Jim) Clinton Clark

James (Jim) Clinton Clark, born January 10, 1943, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, Arizona, at the age of 81. Surrounded by his loved ones, he departed from this world at 12:36 PM local time.

James was the beloved son of Clinton L. Clark (June 20, 1915 - May 31, 1994) and Harriet J. (Millar) Clark (February 2, 1914 - July 13, 2002). He graduated from Menomonie High School in 1960 and attended classes at the University of Wisconsin – Stout, where he met his first wife, Jo-Ann Strasser. They married on June 8, 1963, in Neva, Wisconsin, and initially resided at Lower Bass Lake and Menomonie before moving to Eau Claire in 1966. Together, they had four children: Paul (Amy) Clark, Todd (Valerie) Clark, Karl (Annette) Clark, and Jamie (Josh) Storlie. Jim and Jo-Ann later divorced but remained connected through their family.

Jim remarried on October 20, 1990, to Ann Hekel and became a loving father to her children: Deborah (Scott) MacKenzie, Cathy (Mike) Husmann, and Steve (Raquel) Hekel. With his blended family, Jim enjoyed the love and laughter of seven children and seventeen grandchildren: Whitney (Chad), Taylor, Anastasia, Boris, Maria, Joseph, Jordan, Annabelle, Odin (Vanessa), Eva, Kyle, Phi, Peyton, Morgan, Emma, Sean, and Ava, and two great-grandchildren: Shawn and Cain.

Jim had a dedicated career with Wisconsin Bell, later AT&T, spanning 43.5 years from 1963 until his retirement in 2008. He worked as a central office repairman and later in the ESS (Electronic Switching System) department. During his tenure there, he also served several years as the union president of CWA Local 5540 (Communications Workers of America). Beyond his professional life, Jim was a pillar in his community, serving as a Cub Scout leader and little league coach. He shared his love of nature through hunting, fishing, gardening, and foraging for ginseng root, morel mushrooms, and blueberries. Jim also loved his dogs and was very devoted to spoiling them. 

In retirement, Jim and Ann moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2010, where Jim enjoyed golfing, watching the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers, and traveling. Their adventures took them across Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, highlighted by a memorable river cruise on the Rhine and Danube rivers. Jim also had a passion for baking, delighting family and friends with his apple pies, lemon meringue pies, lemon bars, Special-K bars, and chocolate chip and peanut butter kiss cookies. He took joy in gardening, particularly his roses, and even tried his hand at beekeeping.

A devoted family man, Jim cherished attending his children's and grandchildren's events, whether it was a school play, a sporting event, or a special celebration. His presence and support were a constant source of encouragement and love.

James is survived by his wife, Ann Clark of Phoenix, AZ; his ex-wife, Jo-Ann Clark of Eau Claire, WI; his sister, Nancy (Dick) Maki of Mounds View, MN; Brother-in-law, Tom (Mary Durfee) Beers of Newbury, VT, Kurt Bents of Rice Lake WI; Sister-in-law, Judy Clark of New Braunfels, TX; his seven children, seventeen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David (Judy) Clark; and his sisters, Marilyn (Kurt) Bents, Jean (Neil) Krumm, and Karen (Larry) Smith.

Jim will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his community, and his many hobbies that brought joy to those around him. His legacy of love, laughter, and learning will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim's memory to Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix, Arizona or The Arbor Day Foundation.

A Celebration of Life service is being planned after July 15th in Eau Claire, WI.