James was born July 9, 1959, and graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1978. He was an Air Force veteran who was honorably discharged in 1983.

He is survived by his father, Stewart K. Clark of Williamsburg; sisters, Colleen (Kelly) Dillon of Williamsburg and Leslie (Jerry) Detweiler of Holt; brother, Dan Clark of Manchester, N.H.; aunt and godmother, Gloria Randels of Warsaw, Ind.; and several uncles, aunts and cousins in the United States and Ireland.

James is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Guiney Clark.

Cremation has taken place. A Mass for the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Elk Rapids with the Rev. Robert J. Zuchowski presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family in care of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, 143 Charles St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629.