James Ray "Jim" Clark

James Ray “Jim” Clark, 86, of Arcola, IL passed away at 12:45 PM on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., Arcola, IL. Funeral services will follow at 6:00 PM. Rev Jon Stewart will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery at a later date.

Jim was born on April 5, 1940 in Arcola, IL. He was a son of James Emanuel and Frances Avonel (Billingsley) Clark. He married Peggy Jo Gaffney on July 24, 1960 in Arthur, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Clark of Arcola, IL, two children, Robert James “Bob” Clark and his wife Cammie of Arcola, IL, and Betsy Jo Mulvaney and her husband John of Tolono, IL, four grandchildren, Drew Mulvaney and his wife Lindsey of Tolono, IL, Derek Mulvaney and his wife Kimberly of Urbana, IL, Chelsey Jenkins and her husband Aaron of Urbana, IL, and Taylor Kueker and her husband Grant of Sadorus, IL, five great grandchildren, Blake Stierwalt, Noah Mulvaney, Layla and Sawyer Mulvaney, Piper and Brody Kueker and Cooper Jenkins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim graduated from Arcola High School in 1958 and went on to build a long and steady career. He worked at the Arcola 1st National Bank for 31 years and retired in 2002. After his retirement, he continued working with John Nacke as his engineer until 2010.

Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Arthur. He enjoyed attending church and sharing coffee and cookies with friends afterward. He also enjoyed woodworking and taking daily walks with Peggy. For more than 40 years, he and Peggy spent time on many cruises with friends, making lasting memories along the way. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends, especially euchre.

Jim would walk or run 2 ½ miles every day for as long as he was able. He also ran the Broomcorn Race every year from 1981 through 2018. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren in their sporting events, he always enjoyed cheering them on.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.