Obituaries in Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star (2024)

John (Jack) Wesley Clark Jr. transitioned to be with his Lord during the early morning hours on Friday, June 14th with his devoted wife of 32 years, Pamela, by his side at West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh, PA.

Jack was born September 3, 1950 to John Wesley Clark, Sr. and Ada Elizabeth Webb Clark in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jack was the eldest of six children. Jack spent lots of family time with his parents and siblings going to drive-in movies, playing board games and marbles, going to the theater, spending time with his Uncle Buddy (Vernon) Webb, Sr. at the beach and riding around town in Jack's Javelin. Jack also had a passion for model-making (airplanes, automobiles, and trains); understanding mechanical systems; sketching and drawing; collecting and reading comic books with his eldest cousin John Bebley during summer breaks and faithfully attended Sunday School with their grandfather, Brother William H. Webb, Sr. (aka Mr. Sunday School), at Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Indianapolis, IN. During his adult years, Jack attended Covenant Church of Pittsburgh with his wife Pamela and later Jack was baptized at the Emmanuel Tabernacle Church located in Martins Ferry Ohio, pastored by Bishop Eric B. Richardson and 1st Lady Gloria Richardson.

Jack attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and upon graduation in 1968, enrolled in ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis, to study Architectural Design Technology and CAD (Computer Aided Design). Upon graduation, Jack was offered a career opportunity with Lowry Okey & Associates as a designer and draftsmen. After his successful tenure with Lowry Okey, Jack was recommended and hired at the McDonald's Corporation Regional Office in Indianapolis and was awarded with numerous achievements including, Draftsman of the Year, Site Planner of the Year and several Real Estate & Construction Team Awards. In 1979 Jack's stellar performance secured him a promotion and relocation to the McDonald's Corporation Regional Office in Pittsburgh, PA, where Jack continued to contribute to the growth and development of the McDonald's brand across six states. During his tenure, Jack was recognized for his contributions to site design, layout, planning, and development, vendor acquisition and partnering with the operations teams. In the 1990's, Jack received the Golden Arch Partners Award in Oakbrook, IL at the McDonald's Corporate Offices. After 28 years, he retired in 2001.

In 1989 Jack met the love of his life Pamela Freeman Clark, in Pittsburgh, PA and the two were married on March 28, 1992 at Heinz Chapel, Oakland PA. Jack and Pamela enjoyed so many wonderful interests together, starting with family. Jack found so much joy and pride in sharing in the lives and achievements of all of his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, nurturing a special relationship as only an uncle can do. During their 32-year marriage together, Jack and Pamela nurtured and spoiled their three co*cker spaniels (Buff, Jazzy and Mozart), enjoyed playing and watching tennis and going to the U.S. Open, reading, travel, the arts, sailing, exploring and climbing lighthouses, beach time, board games, and music of all genres. From his boyhood passion, Jack still studied birds, transportation, aviation, aeronautics, science and astronomy. For many years, Jack was a supporting member of the Manchester's Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, PA and enjoyed attending jazz concerts with backstage chats with some of his favorite musicians. Jack was an avid sports fan especially of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, as well as Pitt Basketball, Pitt Women's Volleyball, and Butler University football (the Indianapolis alma mater of his late father, John W. Clark, Sr.), all forms of auto racing including the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR, and Grand Prix Formula 1. Also, as long as his Pittsburgh Steelers were not in contention for a championship, Jack would bond with his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and cousins to root on the Indianapolis Colts or the Washington Commanders.

For 10 years Jack faithfully served with Pamela in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Western PA and they were recognized as the Big Couple of the Year in 2004. Jack had an incredibly special relationship and bond with their little brother, CJ, who transitioned in 2022.

Jack was preceded in death by both his parents, John Wesley Clark Sr., Ada Elizabeth Webb Clark; younger sister Denise Clark Johnson; grandparents William Henry Webb, Sr., and Beulah Elsie Webb; and grandmother Priscilla Clark.

Obituaries in Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star (2024)

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