James E. Clarke Sr.

Jim was born in Essex Junction, Vermont on April 4, 1936 to Gerald H. and Myrtle L. (Liberty) Clarke, Sr. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1956. While in high school, one of his many jobs was at the First National Grocery Store. Jim met the love of his life Elaine M. Bovat during that time in 1955. The following year the happy couple were wed in December of 1956. Jim and Elaine quickly moved to New Hampshire and then to Los Angeles, California in a matter of months. In just days, he found a job at American Airlines. Within a year of moving to Los Angeles, Jim and Elaine started their beautiful family with the birth of twin daughters and continued to have another daughter and son within the next thirteen years. Jim loved his job and retired from American Airlines forty years later in 1996 while working in Tampa, Florida. Jim was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force (Reserves) in 1963. He also had many other jobs or was involved in other careers throughout his life, including: a newspaper route, owning two janitorial services (one as a teenager), delivered groceries for the corner store, was an express courier and had various other odd jobs. Jim was an avid “tinker”. There was not anything he could not fix. His fondest place on earth was at camp in Hanksville, VT — it was part of his soul.

Jim had an enormous heart, was selfless, the love for his family was like none other and he was incredibly witty with his dry Irish sense of humor. Jim leaves behind his adoring wife, Elaine. Three loving children, Jolene Clarke (Edward Holohan), Renee (Scott) Sanders and James Clarke, II. He is also survived by six doting grandchildren, Geoffrey Sanders, Erica (Lamont) Robinson, Courtney Sanders, Benjamin Rieth, Logan Rieth and Jaclene Rieth and six great-grandchildren. In addition, he leaves behind an admiring brother, Gary (Mary) Clarke. He is predeceased by his angelic twin daughter, Jaclene, his parents and six siblings, Dorothy, Bernadette, Pauline, Geraldine, Gerald and Barbara. The family of Jim would like to give sincere thank-yous to the staff, nurses and doctors at the following: Accent Hospice, Dr. Hitesh Patel’s office, Dr. Beth Hanrahan’s office, Dr. Mark Hepp’s office and Dr. Lisa Whims-Squires’ office.

There will be visitation hours at the Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater on Sunday, August 28 from 1 - 5 p.m. with a Catholic Mass the following morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests a memorial contribution in the name of Jim to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

A celebration of life will take place in Vermont some time in the future.