James Franklin Clark (Jim) passed away peacefully during his sleep at his home in Georgetown, Texas on September 6, 2023, with his wife nearby. He was 80 years old. He is survived by his most loving wife of 56 years, Rafaela Ruth Clark, his two daughters, Laura (Douglas) Devaney and Renee (Tom) Billinghurst, six grandchildren (Amanda, Claire, Thomas, Sarah, Patrick, and Samantha) and three great-grandchildren; and siblings Duane (Sue) Clark, Carolyn (Tom) Williams, Sharon (Ted) Fonnest, Lewis (Susan) Clark and Mary Beth Clark. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Fannie Clark; his sister, Norma Fletcher; and son-in-law and friend, Tom Billinghurst.
Jim was born on January 14, 1943, in West Virginia. Upon his graduation from high school, Jim promptly joined the US Air Force at the young age of 17 and extended his four-year enlistment for a fifth year to serve as a Loadmaster in the Vietnam War. Jim was extremely proud of his service in the Air Force and earned multiple Air Medals during his time in service.
Jim and Rafaela wed in August 1967 and moved to East Lansing, Michigan about two years later, after the birth of their first daughter. Jim was a proud Spartan, having earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1972 from Michigan State University. Also during this time in East Lansing, Jim and Rafaela welcomed their second daughter into the world.
The family then moved back to Rafaela’s birthplace, Detroit, Michigan, where Jim served in ascending ranks in the Detroit Police department for almost twenty years. Jim’s second career was in Airport Operations with the Wayne County Airport Authority, stationed at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Jim retired from this position in 2006.
Jim spent his long retirement in Georgetown, Texas, an Austin suburb, where he and Rafaela moved to be closer to family and of course to enjoy a more moderate climate. During his retirement, Jim continued his lifelong hobby as a drummer (which he still practiced and perfected daily until just weeks before his death) and he was also an avid reader of mystery and suspense novels.
Jim will be dearly missed by all who love him.
Jim will be honored during a funeral mass on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 am at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, 6571 FM970, Florence, TX 76527. Following the mass, Jim will be laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Clark family.
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