DR. JAMES FRANK CLARK JR.,

86, died February 14, 2024, in Little Rock, Ark. Jim was born December 26, 1937, to Dr. James Frank Clark and Margaret Nesbitt Gibbs Clark. Growing up in El Dorado, Ark., gave Jim and his many friends endless opportunities for fun and a little mischief, so much so that Jim found himself briefly enrolled at Subiaco Academy. Rumor has it, he caught a bus home. Upon graduating from El Dorado High School in 1955, Jim left for South Bend, Ind., and Notre Dame University, followed by the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. After receiving his medical degree in 1962, Jim began a yearlong internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La. He joined the United States Air Force in 1963. Not only was Jim stationed far away in Sondrestrom, Greenland, but he was also engaged to be married. The best chapter of his life began in 1964, with Jim’s 59-year marriage to Ann Porter Price. Jim and Ann lived first in Homestead, Fla., where Jim continued serving in the US Air Force, followed by Jim’s Pathology Residency, which took them to Galveston, Texas. As the Residency ended, JRMC in Pine Bluff, Ark., needed a Pathologist. Their final move was to Pine Bluff in 1969. For the next 54 years, Jim and Ann Porter lived in Pine Bluff, raised their family, and enjoyed life with their extended family and friends. Their children, James (Jay) F. Clark III and Suzanne Nesbitt Clark Pate, and grandchildren gave Jim great joy and happiness. Jay is married to Christina Rossi Clark, and their children are Mary Porter Clark and James Frank Clark IV. Suzanne was married to Dr. K. Bradley Pate, and their daughter is Charlotte Meriwether Pate. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Ann Porter; and his brother, Robert Clark. He is survived by his brother, David Clark. Jim had many passions, including hunting, fishing, skeet shooting, photography, and spending summers with family and friends at his home on Lake Hamilton. Whatever he did, he was all in! He could fix anything, build anything—in a word, Jim was curious, and his curiosity and intellect drove all his pursuits. Jim grew up hunting at Gillett Farms with the Larzelere, O’Connor, Mahoney, and Murphy families, instilling a great love of the outdoors. Throughout the years, Jim traveled to many countries for hunting and fishing adventures with his friends and son, Jay. However, duck hunting or fishing at Pecan Lake was Jim’s favorite place. Always happy with a shotgun, Jim became an enthusiastic and talented skeet shooter. Finding a practice range was tough when he was younger, so Jim and his friend, Charlie Davis, built their own skeet range. Many years later, Jim and some other men donated their time and resources to construct the first shooting fields at Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. It is now the largest member-owned shotgun sports complex in Arkansas. Jim was a kind, generous man, with an endearing sense of humor. He was a great lover of animals, especially stray dogs. He even took his pet squirrel to work at the hospital. Respected by his fellow physicians, Jim was a talented and dedicated Pathologist who truly loved practicing medicine. A friend and colleague described Jim as “lovable with a short fuse.” Anyone who knew him would agree. In typical Jim fashion, there are no big services planned, certainly no pomp and circumstance. The graveside service will be March 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Columbia Cemetery, 4561 US-371, Waldo, Ark., 71770 by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Friends and family are invited to attend. Memorial gifts will be welcomed by the Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club Building Fund, c/o Don Koen, 227 Corondelet Lane, Maumelle, Ark., 72113. Online register: RobinsonFuller.com.