Redlands, CA - James Lloyd Clark, a devoted educator, respected labor leader, and deeply loved family man, passed away on April 13, 2026, at the age of 82.

Born on January 27, 1944, in Oklahoma, Jim went on to attend Northeastern State College in Tahlequah, where he met the love of his life, Mary. Together, they built a life over more than 60 years, a partnership rooted in love, commitment, and a lifetime of shared experiences.

Jim began his career in California as a teacher at Valley View Junior High in Simi Valley, where he taught English, US history, and photography and was widely recognized for his intelligence, which he shared generously with his students and colleagues. He later moved into leadership with the California Teachers Association (CTA), where he spent decades advocating for educators and public education. Rising to the role of Deputy Executive Director, he earned the respect of colleagues across the state for his insightfulness, steady leadership, and deep commitment to dignity and fairness. His impact was so lasting that CTA established an American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award in his honor.

At home, Jim's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Stephanie Marshall and Shannon Clark-Reed, and to his son, Jeffrey Lloyd Clark, who preceded him in death in 2012. He was an incredibly proud grandfather to Emily, Catalina, Elizabeth, and Sydney, and was affectionately known as the "baby hog," happiest when holding the youngest member of the family in his arms.

Jim had a lifelong curiosity and a wide range of interests. He was a trivia master and a trusted source of knowledge for his family, often serving as their encyclopedia, dictionary, and daily news source all in one. He loved to travel and had a particular talent for finding unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path restaurants wherever he went, often paired with a good bottle of wine or a well-made cocktail. Cooking became one of his lasting passions and one of the many ways he brought people together.

Some of his family's most cherished memories include summer road trips during his teaching years, experiences that sparked a lasting love of travel in his children. For nearly 30 years, he and Mary spent winters in Puerto Vallarta, one of the few places that could draw him away from his work.

Jim's influence extended beyond his own career, inspiring both of his daughters to follow in his and Mary's footsteps into education, continuing a family legacy that spanned generations.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Clark; his daughters, Stephanie and her husband, Jason Marshall, and Shannon and her husband, Mike Reed; his granddaughters; his sister, Yolanda; and a wide circle of extended family, friends, and colleagues.

Jim will be remembered as a man of principle, intellect, and generosity; someone who led with conviction and kindness and whose presence left a lasting impression on all who knew him.