Rev. James David Clark

Reverend James D. Clark, 87, of Berne passed away on August 9, 2026 at Albany Medical Center following a brief illness.

Jim was born in Morgantown, West Virginia and grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. He later earned his bachelor's degree from Oberlin College. He was employed by the state of Vermont and also served as a minister with the Essex Center and Winooski Methodist Churches in Vermont until he retired from both. Upon moving to Berne, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville and also enjoyed volunteering as a member of the Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs where he also made quite a few friends. Jim was an avid reader and loved to do research to share with his visiting family and friends.

He is survived by his son David Clark, daughter-in-law Holly (Hampton) Clark and granddaughter Chelsea Santandrea. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Betty Deitz and nieces Stacy Wright, Jennifer Battagliolo and Karen Diligent together with their families. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Arlene (Deitz) Clark, parents Alfred and Marjorie (Griffin) Clark and sister Nancy Clark.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Jim's life with his family on October 3rd at 11am at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville. A private burial will be at the South Berne Rural Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs in Jim's name.