Mr. James O. Clark

Sunrise: FEBRUARY 7, 1942 ~ Sunset: JULY 4, 2023

James Orentha Clark was born on February 7, 1942 to Henry (Buck) Clark and Jessie marie Clark in West Texas. He was the youngest of five children, William and George who preceded him in death and Ester and Charlesetta Clark. James attended Dunbar Youth school from the 1st to the 5th grade. The family moved to Waco, Texas where he attended Moore Youth School and then Carver High School. He graduated in 1959, and attended Paul Quinn College for only six months because of questioning some of the teachers, as to why they didn't they try to do something when the police dragged this black kid through the black neighborhood while talking on a loudspeaker. He was told to not return to Paul Quinn. It was at this point, that James joined the Army.

Six months into the Army, James organized a marching group that became the best in the military. In 1962, the team performed for President Kennedy, at the base in San Francisco, CA. They were also invited to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show.

James left the Army in 1964. He was married to Barbara for 27 years.

In 1991, James met Brenda North. He and Brenda had one child, James, Jr. but, he embraced and treated, Jocelyn and Jason, as his own. This union would last for 32 years until his passing.

"Clark", as he was affectionately called by many, spent 27 years at AC Transit, where he did everything, including going to Sacramento Transit to train employees. Once retired, his focus was on home repairs, fishing, and traveling.

After Clark's greatest love Brenda, was home remodeling. 'Can't you see him now in Heaven, asking God to let him remodel, something!'

Deacon James Orentha Clark departed this life on July 4, 2023, and was preceded in death by his brothers WIll and George, and parent's Henry and Jessie Marie.

He leaves to cherish his precious memory, his wife and best friend, Brenda North Clark; children, James, Jr., Jocelyn, and Jason; grandchildren - Beverly Garner, Simone, Tyler and Jasin; siblings - Ester and Charlesetta; Stacy Clark, and Aaron Clark; goddaughters - Justice Levias, Rocquel Levias; a nephew, Andrew Jones (Kesha), and a host of other relatives, friends, and his church family.