Students, faculty and parents are invited to share fond memories of Mr. Clark. If you'd like to share a memory, you may email it to willetta.crowe@bowieisd.net, or deliver it to the BJHS library.
Mr. Clark passed away early Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008. Join family and friends for A Celebration of the LIfe of Jim Clark, 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, First Free Will Baptist Church, 505 Strong St., Bowie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bowie ISD band program.
Our memories will perhaps bring a smile during this sad time.
Kevin D. Alaniz, Trombonist
Amazing what a small world we live in. My name is Kevin Alaniz and I was in band from 6th to 12th grade in Marlow, Oklahoma graduating in 1980. I'm not sure what brought Jim and Sherry our way but sometime around 1977 through 1979 I can't remember exactly when but they came to Marlow to help our band director. I believe Jim taught middle and/or grade school where my wife to be was in band also at the time (while I was in high school). Jim was a blast on the band trips and helped tremendously. He touched many of our lives here in Marlow, Oklahoma. I remember he went to the Mardi Gras with our band and was hilarious. He also played the character "Charlie Brown" in one of our high school plays, the town went nuts when he came on stage. I'm so sorry to hear of all of our loss in losing him. Tell Sherry we still love them both here in Oklahoma!
Lori Lane, BJHS seventh grader --
Last year when I had Mr. Clark for fine arts I didn’t think I would like fine arts. Everyday when I went in there for 7th period, he would be in the front of the room, and he would ask "how are you to doing today?" I going to to miss Mr. Clark. My favorite memory is when we were watching Sound of the Music, and I asked Mr. Clark if he could sing the song. He goes, "You darn bet you, I can!" So he sang that song for me and my rest of my class. I'm going to miss seeing his smiling face in the morning when I went in there to check on him to see if he was going okay. I am going to miss his Aggie and OU jokes, and I'm going to miss his pretty and beautiful singing and his voice If it was not for him I probably would not remember everything he taught me, and he is going to be missed by so many people. Just think about it -- he is in a better place now, and there is someone up there who loves him, and one day we will meet his smiling face again. You're going to be missed!!!
Cliff Graham, BHS Band Director --
Jim has been a good friend of mine for many years. He went to college with one of the directors I started my teaching career with, and his college band director was my high school director. It seems almost pre-ordained that Jim and I would teach together at some point. It has been a joy and an honor working with Jim in Bowie. We didn't always agree on direction, but we were pretty good at getting the kids where we wanted them to go. I will truly miss him.
Dee Parks, Past BJHS Assistant Principal --
Jim Clark was one of my favorite people at BJHS. He always had a great joke to tell and could say it like no one else. Jim never had a bad word to say about anyone unless a student needed some adult correction, and then it was for the student's own good and was never spoken just to be mean or to get a laugh. He revealed his true character to me when he talked about a young girl that he and his wife had taken in as one of their family. The girl had a tragic accident on her high school graduation night, and when telling this story, he sat in his office and cried right in front of me. There was always something that was awesome about Jim, and now in death, unfortunately, I , have the courage to say that he was a great man and lover of people. He will be missed by all those that knew him
Jerry Everett, Coleman High School Band Director --
During my first year teaching, I was in the small Oklahoma town Waurika. I had taken over this band after they had fired the last band director for making a "five" at contest. As you know, a "five" is the worst rating you can receive. Our very first football game was against Hollis. Mr. Clark had been the Band Director for several years. His bands were consistent top finishers at State Contest. When his band lined up to take the field, he lined them up from the 20 yard-line to the 20 yard-line. His band was incredible. After their performance, I marched my 27 strong band and was thankful we didn't stop during the fight song. He came over, shook my hand and said. "That's the best Waurika Band I have seen in years." From then on, I would call him several times a year for advice. In fact, the first couple of marches I did at contest were ones he suggested. He was always there when I needed advice. He will be missed.
Dena Tomlinson, BJHS Teacher --
I really enjoyed singing with Mr. Clark at last year's BJH faculty Christmas party. He had a beautiful voice! Also, I really appreciate how helpful Mr. Clark was when I was directing "Bowie Goes Branson: A Sesquicentennial Celebration." I told him that I didn't know what to do with all of the performers, and he graciously volunteered to let us use the band hall. He knew that it would be crazy, but he told me that he didn't care that he was glad to help out any way he could. I really appreciated him so much!
Misty Sutton, BJHS Educational Aide --
You were a great man and a wonderful band director. I will miss you!!
Versel Rush, Band Parent --
There are too many stories to tell. However, one in particular points out what a genuinely nice and caring man Mr. Clark was. I found out, by accident, after the first SWOSU band camp in Weatherford, Oklahoma, attended by the Bowie band members three summers ago, that Mr. Clark's trip and stay in Weatherford were at his own expense. He wanted to be there in case any of "his kids" needed anything and to make sure that they were safe and okay. In fact, he made trips to Wal-Mart for the kids--including one who had forgotten to bring sheets. Everyone had his cell number, just in case. -- He will be missed.
Anthony Hoppe, Bowie Elementary Principal --
When I first met Mr. Clark, I found out that he had been in Hollis, Oklahoma, which is about 30 miles from my hometown. I also found out that he was an Oklahoma Sooner fan. He must have been their biggest fan because his truck had a big magnetic OU sticker on its doors. The bedlam battle began since I'm an Oklahoma State graduate. We enjoyed many jokes about the schools. He judged a band contest in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and he brought me back some Oklahoma State stickers. Being such a Sooner fan, purchasing those stickers probably went against everything he believed!!! He was a wonderful and thoughtful man. I will miss him!
Patti Hatcher, Reading Specialist --
You couldn't help but smile in the mornings when Mr. Clark came in telling his latest Aggie and OU jokes.
Danna Lawhorn, BJHS Lab Director --
I did not know Mr. Clark very long. I am so blessed to have gotten to know him. He will be missed.
Diane Weber, BJHS Girls' Coach & Health Teacher--
One of my favorite memories of Mr. Clark was the first day I met him. During our faculty meeting, Mr. McEwen introduced him as the new band director, and Mr. Clark added that he also had been appointed the new District Health and Fitness Instructor! I laughed aloud, when some others didn't know how to react. I just think he had a very witty sense of humor! He was a very smart man and genuinely cared about the welfare of the kids.
Will Crowe, BJHS Librarian --
I was surprised to hear Mr. Clark's beautiful voice during a Christmas party as he and several teachers sang carols. It reminded me of a barber shop quartet. He harmonized so well. Not only was our band program blessed with a talented musician but a talented vocalist, as well.
