James Gordon Clark, 83, of Newdale, died December 28, 2020.

Gordon was born to James Elmer Clark and Jane Emily White in their home in Teton, Idaho on March 7, 1937. He arrived to the delight of his parents and two older sisters, Verla and Margene. The story is told that when he was born, Grandpa Jim said, "Well, Mother, we've got our boy! He grew up in Teton working on the family farm and learned to love the land and the smell of Idaho dirt.

In 1949, he was stricken with polio and spent two weeks in the hospital. For many months his mother nursed him back to health and according to Dad he had no lasting effects from the disease. We think he acquired his love of hot baths from his time in warm tubs of water recovering from polio.

He attended school in Teton and graduated from South Fremont High School in 1955. He loved school sports and had made many friendships there. One of the highlights at that time was his trip by train to Irvine, California for the National Scout Jamboree. He became a proud Eagle Scout in 1954.

He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Anne England in March of 1957 in the Idaho Falls Temple. He attended Ricks College for two years and then moved to Logan, Utah where he earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture Education in 1961. Then he and Shirley returned to Idaho where he farmed with his father in Newdale. Later, he continued to run the farm and taught High School and Elementary school for the Sugar Salem School district until his illness in 1994. He also loved Sugar High School sports and spent a happy time doing High School wrestling scoring and statistics. He especially loved watching Ron play football and basketball and was the proudest Dad in the stands for those years.

Gordon battled a debilitating illness called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy for more than 28 years. His daily care was provided lovingly by his wife, Shirley in their home until it became necessary for him to be moved to Templeview Transitional Care Center in Rexburg. We are all very grateful for the care he received there for the past 3 ½ years.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He earned several church awards and served faithfully in various callings in his life. He especially enjoyed serving in Cub Scouts, teaching Gospel Doctrine and serving in the Bishopric of the Newdale Ward. His favorite service in the church was as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls temple.

Gordon and Shirley were blessed with four children. Kelly, Diane, Ron and Nanette. Gordon was a loving father and patiently spent many hours attempting to teach them the value of hard work and to love the smell of Idaho dirt too. He was a quiet force for good, a wonderful example of faith, perseverance and enduring to the end cheerfully.

As his disease progressed he became interested in learning to make pottery. Shirley drove him to pottery classes at the Idaho Art Institute for many years. We would like to thank Daniel and Kara Hildalgo for their loving attention to Gordon. He spent many happy hours making pottery that he shared with his family and friends.

Dad was a lover of Pepsi and candy. It has been speculated that he may have had a candy bar every day of his entire life. His grandchildren have said that now they are adults they are amazed that he was able to get so much work out of them for a cold pop and a candy bar.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Shirley. His four children, Kelly, Diane, Ron and Nanette and their spouses, Scott, Bryan, Julie and Bart. 17 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. His sister Verla Wilkes of Cedar Hills, Utah and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Jim and Jane Clark, his sister Margene Withers, 1 granddaughter and 1 great granddaughter.

The service will be live streamed and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/_1JIGMmsVYI