James R. (Jim) Clark

James R. (Jim) Clark, 79, of Canyon, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Graveside service will be at 12:30 P.M. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Dreamland Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 4 at Oasis Church in Amarillo with Bradley Speer, Senior Pastor, officiating. Jim was born in Marshall, Missouri to J. W. and Dorothy Clark. He was raised on a livestock and grain farm and participated in 4-H and FFA during his youth. He graduated from Marshall High School. Jim received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Missouri and a doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin. He and his family then moved to Lubbock, Texas. He was a professor of reproductive physiology in the Department of Animal Science at Texas Tech University for 15 years. They then moved to Canyon, Texas to become professor of Animal Science and head of the Division of Agriculture at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). After five years, he was promoted to the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering. Jim had a joint appointment as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Life Sciences of the Texas A&M University System and served as chair of the Council of Agricultural Administrators. He also was appointed by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture to a three-year term on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics committee. After retiring from the Dean's position, he served as Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the Department of Agricultural Sciences. Jim served as president of the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources (AASCARR). He received numerous awards: AMOCO Award for Outstanding Teaching at Texas Tech University, University Excellence Award from WTAMU Alumni Association, Texas 4-H Alumni Award, Distinguished Service Award from AASCARR, and "First Choice" award from Department of Agricultural Sciences at WTAMU. Jim was a member of Missouri FarmHouse Fraternity, American Society of Animal Science, and Society for the Study of Reproduction and AASCARR. While in Lubbock, he was an assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 402 at the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Oasis Southwest Baptist Church in Amarillo where he served as a Deacon. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the WTAMU Foundation. Jim enjoyed reading western novels and watching western shows, movies, rodeos and listening to country music. He liked to do woodworking projects making a desk, bookcase and trestle dining table. Jim is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Barbara Clark; sons, Michael (Katie Mast) Clark and William (Leslie) Clark; daughter, Sarah Clark; and two grandchildren, Cadence and Mason. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the James Clark "First Choice" Scholarship, WTAMU Foundation, WTAMU Box 60766, Canyon, Texas 79016.