James William Clark, Jr. was born on August 1, 1928, in Bryans Road, Maryland. His parents were the late James and Eva Elnora Clark. He was educated in the Charles County public school system and graduated from Pomonkey High School in 1946. After high school, he attended St. Paul's Polytechnic Institute in Lawrenceville, Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he served in defense of his country from 1948 to 1952.

James became a licensed electrician in 1956, a trade he became interested in through his father, who was the first Black licensed electrician in Charles County. After leaving the Naval Propellant Plant in Indian Head, Maryland, he was employed as a master electrician at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where he also served as a counselor in the Federal Summer Employment Program for the Youth. James established Clark Enterprises and served the community through his trade. He trained numerous young men and encouraged many of them to pursue a career in the electrical field. He volunteered many hours of community service and regularly participated in Christmas in April and special career programs at several Charles County schools and churches.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6 at Metropolitan United Methodist Church, 3385 Metropolitan Church Road in Pomonkey, Maryland. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

James was a life-long member of Metropolitan United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Trustee Board, United Methodist Men and Choraleers, and was the Church School Superintendent for 15 years. While serving in this capacity, he helped plan and implement a community youth career day and a youth and children's summer enrichment and tutoring program. He also taped worship services for the sick and shut-in. James worked as a volunteer with the Rural Elderly Ministry Programs of St. Philips Episcopal Church, making repairs for elderly citizens. He was honored as Community Servant of the Year by the Ministers Conference of Charles County. James will be remembered for his dedication to the youth, his love of music, and his passion for bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Edna; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Richard Jackson; granddaughter, Jané e Johnson; sisters, Jeannette Thurmond, Elvira Langford, Winifred Sechrest, Phelicia Boyer and Willa Mae Parker; sister-in-law, Margaret Johnson; brothers-in-law, John Sechrest, Everett Parker and Elson Johnson; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister Sophonia Gaston.

Arrangements entrusted to THORNTON Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD.