| Graduation Year | Class of 1965 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 06, 2011 |
| About | James “Clark” Pinkerton II went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2011, in his home following an extended illness surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born March 14, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio, to James Clark and Betty Jane Pinkerton. He was the third child and the oldest boy in the family of six siblings. He grew up on a farm near Martin, Ohio, where he learned the disciplines of working hard and playing hard. He graduated from Genoa High School in 1965 and went to Kent State on a football scholarship, graduating with a degree in geography and a minor in geology in 1969. He married Judith Anne Sidner that summer; they later divorced after 17 years. They moved to Colorado for Clark to pursue a master’s degree. During that time he was drafted into the Army and became an Airborne Paratrooper in the 75th Rangers. He served in Vietnam. After Vietnam, he came back to CU and completed his master’s degree in geography. He then moved to Helena and worked as a city-county planner for Lewis and Clark County. It was through this position that Clark met and made some of his closest lifelong friends. He then had his first child, Laura Elise, in February 1975 and then later had James Clark III (Jay) in April 1978. Clark became a Realtor working for Ahmann Brothers, Broker’s First, Thompson Nistler and the Landmark Company where he retired in January 2010. He was also a member of the Last Chance Kiwanis. In 1987, he married Terrylea Madsen Reagor and was blessed with two stepdaughters, Tami and Danielle, whom he loved dearly, and an extended family that meant so much to him. They were married for 13 years, the last five of which he cared for Terry during her battle with cancer. Although a carpetbagger from Ohio, he became a true Montana mountain man and loved camping, hunting, fishing and spending time at Rock Creek. He had many dear friends who he shared these activities with and instilled in his children and later grandchildren the love of the outdoors and throughout his life a love for the Lord. During his illness, especially the last month, Clark had time to reflect on his life and what was really important and made sure that he told us the important things to remember. He was amazed by all of the people who came to visit and called, not thinking himself worthy of such dedication although those who knew him were not surprised in the least. He was constantly giving the nurses a hard time, and his sense of humor held through to the end. While in Denver, a fellow patient put him on the bus with the Lord and he has reached his final destination and is now “standing tall and looking good” in heaven, leaving the rest of us to await our trip. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Terry. He is survived by his loving children, Laura (Mark) Bennett of Helena, Jay (Jane) Pinkerton of Boise, Idaho, Tami (Rich) Jost of Helena and Danielle (Ryan) Scharf of Bozeman; grandchildren, Walker, Drew and Markie Bennett, Zoe, Ezekiel, Celeste, Anastasia, Elizabeth and Creed Pinkerton, Tyler and Jacob Jost, and Madsen “Madi” Scharf. He is also survived by his siblings, Mary “Beth” (Chuck) Grundmann of Colorado Springs, Colo., Diana “Sue” Nuckols of Toledo, John (Norma) Pinkerton of Chesterland, Ohio, Joel (Joanne) Pinkerton of Milbury, Ohio, and Jeffery Pinkerton of Toledo; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. A memorial service in celebration of Clark’s life will take place Monday, June 13, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Tom Banks presiding. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Morningstar Fellowship, 1015 Poplar, Helena, MT 59601, www.woundedwarriorproject.org; or God’s Love, 533 N. Main, Helena, MT 59601 |
