James Vaughan Clark

James (Jim) Vaughan Clark, Sr., born October 4, 1933 in National City, California., passed away February 25, 2025 in Loudon, Tennessee, age 91. Jim was the youngest son of Ernest Chapman Clark, Sr. of Carthage, Tennessee and Lula Elizabeth Bibb of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Jim graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia before honorably serving four years active duty in the United States Air Force. Jim married his wife of 68 years, Joan Lucia Clark (Mueller) in St. Louis, Missouri on March 16, 1957, before moving to California where they lived for 64 years, raising five children. Jim successfully operated his own business for many years.

Jim had a passion for music, gardening and nature. Music wasn’t just something he enjoyed; it was a part of who he was, a constant companion through every stage of his life. Gardening was also his passion where he found peace and happiness tending to his plants, and observing the beautiful birds and wildlife that visited his yard. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors and enjoyed many family camping trips in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Jim also loved Genealogy, spending years researching the branches of the Clark family ancestry in Tennessee and the Bibb family ancestry in Virginia. Throughout his life he enjoyed visiting his aunts, uncles and cousins in Tennessee and Virginia. In 2021, Jim and Joan moved to Loudon, Tennessee to live near their children. Jim loved living in Tennessee and was happy to be closer to his extended family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Chapman Clark, Sr., and Lula Elizabeth Clark; his sister, Frances Elizabeth Raines, his brother Ernest Chapman Clark, Jr., and his son, James (Jimmy) Vaughan Clark, Jr. (Cindy). He is survived by his wife, Joan Lucia Clark, and his children, Julie Langdon (Lloyd), David Clark (Denise), Susan Bolin (Terry) and Jennifer Morris (Sam). He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Lindsey McKeehan, Michelle Pauldin, Stephen Langdon, Bryan Clark, Wyatt Clark, Melissa Garcia, Eric Clark, Megan Morris, Laura Morris, Jacob Bolin and Joshua Bolin: and 6 great-grandchildren, Camila Garcia, Elliana Garcia, Leo Garcia, Rowan McKeehan, Claire McKeehan and Olivia Pauldin.

Private services will be held on April 11, 2025 at Grandview Cemetery in Maryville, Tennessee where Jim will be interred with his son, James (Jimmy) Vaughan Clark, Jr.

Jim will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.