Obituary of James "Jim" Austin Clark II

James "Jim" Austin Clark II passed away January 26, 2013, two days before his 91st birthday. Mr. Clark was born January 28, 1922 in Milford, Nebraska. He attended the University of Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January, 1942. Mr. Clark was assigned to the 362nd Fighter Group, 378th squadron, 9th Air Force, as a Fighter Pilot. On July, 23 1944, he was shot down by flak and became a prisoner of war. Mr. Clark was liberated April 29, 1945. Just prior to his overseas service, Mr. Clark married Lessie Geraldine "Jerry" Jarvis of St. Petersburg, Florida. At the time of his death, they had been married for 69 years. Mr. Clark moved his family to Bastrop, Louisiana in 1961. He established a successful business, Clark's Home Furnishing Center, and remained an active member of the business community until his retirement 32 years later. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bastrop. Jim Clark spent his retirement years actively serving veterans and held numerous offices in American EX-POW Prisoners of War organizations. In 2009, he became the National Commander of EX-POW's. Mr. Clark is survived by his wife, Jerry Clark, and three children, Carole Ann Roberdeau and husband Danny of Milwaukee, WI; Jerry Lee Clark of Alamogordo, NM; James "Jim" Austin Clark III and wife Shirley of Maurice, LA; He has eight grandchildren, Chris Roberdeau and wife Shelby of Seattle, WA; Jen Roberdeau and husband Ken Schelper of LaCrosse, WI; Ashley Almond, Debbie Hernandez and husband Leo all of Alamogordo, NM; Mark Almond and wife Penny of Captain, NM; Dawn Cuellar and husband Tim of Fort Smith, AR; James "Chip" Austin Clark IV and wife Kaysha, Dr. Jacob Scott Clark and wife Roxanne all of Lafayette, LA. He has 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation will begin at 12 Noon, Friday, February 1, 2013, at Golden Funeral Home in Bastrop, LA; followed by the funeral at 2 PM. Burial will be with full military honors in Memorial Park Cemetery, Bastrop, LA.