Funeral services for James W. Clark, 99, of Marshall will be held at 2p.m., Saturday November 04, 2011 with full military honors at Crossroads Baptist Church with Bro David Rice officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday November 3, 2011 at Downs Funeral Home. Mr. Clark passed away October 31, 2011 at his residence. James was born to James Herbert Clark and Anna Adams Clark of Kilgore, Texas on June 22, 1912. On March 12, 1937, James joined the U.S. Navy and his military career lasted 20 years. During W.W.II he was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack on December 7, 1941. James was recognized for his heroism, staying below deck helping his fellow shipmates to safety. He was one of the last to leave the ship, narrowly escaping his own death. James served as a Gunners Mate and rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from the Navy on February 16, 1957. He was a member of the USS Utah Pearl Harbor Survivors and served as Vice President. On March 19, 1943, James married Ellen Vernice Dunn of Steubenville, Ohio. They met in Washington, DC where Ellen was working for the Pentagon. They were married for fifty years and had five children. James retired from the City of Norfolk, VA as superintendant in 1977. After Ellen's death in 1993, James reunited with his high school sweetheart, Lorene Frances Wyatt of Beckville, Texas. They were married on October 14, 2000. They had recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. Above all, James will be remembered as a friend to all who knew him, always ready with a kind word and helping hand. He was a loving father and a devoted Christian who loved the Lord and his church. James had a truly special gift of seeking out the good and overlooking any fault in every person he met. He was loved by all. James will be so missed by his wife, Lorene; his daughters, Juanita Triplett and husband Noel of Charlotte, NC, Joyce Fallin and husband Bill of Reston, VA, Judy Clark and husband Umiller of Chesapeake, VA and Janice Smith and husband Larry of Floyd, VA; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, as well as many nieces and nephews. James is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen and his son, James Clark, Jr., his parents and his brothers and sisters. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Crossroads Baptist Church 11763 FM 31 Marshall, Texas 75670