James (Jim) Clark (Talking Turtle) 1956-2023
Born in the Norwalk area of Los Angeles (though he didn’t like to admit it), he was the only child of Stanley and Felicia Clark. His aunts Gloria, Fanny, Edith, uncle Gabriel and his grandmother Oma Clark had a big part of taking care of Jim in his formative years as both his parents worked. He grew up in Lewiston, Idaho playing baseball until high school where he joined the cross-country team. While in high school he joined the Navy through the deferred enlistment program, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who had both been in the Navy. They also instilled into Jim a love for fishing, hunting, and camping from a young age. At 17, Jim gave his heart to the Lord, becoming a life-long follower of Jesus.
The Navy trained Jim to be a hydraulics specialist/structural mechanic, but in true Navy fashion, he spent most of his Navy career doing corrosion control on EA6Bs and A6s on board the aircraft carrier, John F. Kennedy. He had many fond memories of the countries he visited – Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Germany, France, England, and Scotland, but he fell in love with Whidbey Island while he was stationed here in 1975-1977. He attended Oak Harbor Assembly of God while he was on land and began a life-long involvement with Royal Rangers – a ministry to boys that became his passion in life. In 1977 a malignant brain tumor was discovered in Jim and he was flown to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital for surgery and recovery, ending his naval career. The doctors at Oak Knoll gave Jim 8 to 12 years to live after his cancer treatments were completed. God had other plans.
Jim returned home to Lewiston to complete his recovery and decided to attend Eugene Bible College in Oregon hoping to become a pastor. Unfortunately, the effects of his brain tumor made his schoolwork difficult. English was his worse subject, so he hired a young woman named Alma to tutor him. He fell in love with his tutor and she with him, so they were married in 1979 in Lewiston, Idaho.
The young couple moved often to be with family and friends, eventually Jim decided that he wanted to settle in Oak Harbor. In 1985, they became permanent residents in Oak Harbor and joined Oak Harbor Assembly of God. Jim became a commander in Royal Rangers, teaching boys about camping, beadwork, survival, and most importantly, about living for Jesus. He eventually became an instructor teaching other men how to be Royal Ranger commanders. What he loved most was being a frontiersman in the Frontiersman Camping Fellowship, also a part of Royal Rangers. His fellow frontiersman gave him the name of “Talking Turtle”. He loved wearing buckskins and camping frontier style. He had deep bonds with many of the Walt Whitman Chapter members of FCF. Some of them preceded Jim to the great rendezvous in heaven where they are sitting around the fire with Jesus. Jim served in Royal Rangers a little over 30 years. He became the first recipient of the Royal Rangers Lifetime Achievement Award.
Five years after settling in Oak Harbor, son Elisha was born to Jim and Alma, followed by daughter Jamie and son Caleb. He loved each of them deeply and was their biggest cheerleader. He loved to take them fishing, bowling, roller skating and just play with them. In 1995 he bought an RV and many camping adventures ensued. The most special was a trip around the country that lasted all summer, including a 10 day stay in Yellowstone. In 2012, Jamie married, and her husband John became our third son. After a long wait, they added grandson Everett and granddaughter Ember to our family.
Jim was a man with a big heart who loved everyone he met. He could make friends anywhere with any one and would stop to help anyone in need. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, always treating others with respect and dignity. Teaching Royal Rangers was his greatest passion in life. He loved playing guitar, photography, airplanes and flying (he had a private pilot’s license when he was younger). He loved going to church because he loved the people of his church. Most of all he loved Jesus, family, fishing, and Star Trek.
In 2009, Jim was formally diagnosed with dementia possibly caused by the earlier cancer treatments. With help and understanding from his family and friends, Jim continued in his normal life for many years. A stroke in 2018 began a sharp decline in mobility and cognitive abilities. Jim passed away peacefully at home in the presence of his wife and children on January 28. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, an uncle and aunt and a few cousins. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, children, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, and many cousins.
He will be missed greatly by his family, his church family, and many friends.
From daughter Jamie:
My dad was a faithful, loving, and kind man who seemed larger than life to his little girl. My fondest memories are of him playing on the floor with us and hearing the giggles through the entire house. I’ll never forget the frequent check-ins, the wishes for a good day, or the warm smiles. He will be fiercely missed by all those who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to the DAV or The Dementia Society of America.