James Clark

James Marion Clark, beloved father, friend and lifelong resident of Lineville, who as a young man fought alongside fellow service members on the beaches of Normandy, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, following a short illness. He was 95.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Clay County Memory Gardens with the Rev. Curt Kennington officiating.

Born Feb. 23, 1924, Mr. Clark served in the Army of the United States during World War II in the United States and Europe. As a young man, he landed at Utah Beach as part of the Normandy invasion. He saw combat in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes and the Rhineland.

He was awarded the Purple Heart three times for combat injuries sustained in August 1944, January 1945 and May 1945. He also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. His decorations were the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory `Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four bronze stars.

He was demobilized at the end of the war as a Private First Class after spending nearly two and a half years in active service. Following his service to our country, he returned to Lineville to work for Western Auto and Ace Products.

Mr. Clark was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eva Lee Garrett Clark; parents, Marion Oliver Clark and Lela Bell Perry Clark; brother, Benjamin Harrison “Skinny” Clarke; sisters, Willie Clark King and Annie Lois Clark Moore; and daughter, Vicki Lee Walker.

Mr. Clark is survived by his daughter LaJuan Walker Character (Randy) of Lineville and their children Kristina Anderson (Michael), Jeremy Character (Tiffanie), and Amanda O’Hern, and grandchildren Olivia Scarborough, Jarek Character, Mason Knight, Camden Character, and Cooper Character; and by his daughter Donna Clark Schubert (Chris) of Troy and their children Charlotte Schubert Willcox (Charles), Chrissie Schubert Duffy (Kevin), and grandchildren Thomas Duffy, Anna Duffy, Mary Margaret Duffy, Clay Willcox, Cooper Duffy and Charlie Willcox.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of his bird dog, Jim, and the faithful companions who followed, memorial contributions may be made to the Clay County Animal Shelter, 43 Ratley Road, Ashland, Alabama, 36251, or the Pike Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 549, Troy, Alabama, 36081.