Ernest Clark Obituary

Brigadier General Ernest James Clark, MD, age 91, passed peacefully from the arms of his loving family into the arms of Jesus on November 26, 2016. "James" was born in Cambridge, Kansas on March 3, 1925, the youngest son of six children born to Raymond and Elva Clark. He attended a one-room schoolhouse, skipped several grades, and graduated from Cedar Vale High School at age 16.

He enlisted in the Navy V-12 program in 1943, which allowed him to continue his premedical studies at Westminster College, MO (1943-1944). He earned his doctorate of medicine in 1948 at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. He served his rotating internship at the Research Hospital, Kansas City, MO (1948-1949). In 1950 he was mustered out of the Navy and was commissioned into the Air Force as a Captain. His first Air Force assignment was as a general medical officer, USAF Hospital, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, WY.

Once board certified, James served the Air Force for 28 years in a variety of roles as Chief, Director, or Commander for various military Medical Organizations.

James was a member of the Air Force Association of Internists and Allied Specialists and American Medical Association. He was a fellow of the American College of Physicians and between 1971 and 1973 was U.S. Air Force Governor of the American College of Physicians.

His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon and the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

After his retirement from the Air Force in October of 1978, James began a consulting job with Environmental Services in Rockville, MD, then left after a year to begin a seven-year career as Medical Director of the Ben Franklin Clinic in Philadelphia.

In 1987, after a long and illustrious career spent healing, teaching and mentoring others, James retired and moved back to Colorado, where he built a home in Monument and was finally able to relax and enjoy gardening and horseback riding.

James is survived by his four children, Paula Clark Hebert, Douglas Pope Clark, John Dayton Clark, and Rebecca Clark Carbaugh. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Franklin Thornbury Hughes, Andrea Louise Davis, Norman Davis Hughes and niece, Myrna Cable, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wives, Joan Pope Clark and Alice Davis Clark.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 15, 2017 in Colorado Springs at Rockrimmon Church, 4301 Forrest Hill Road.

In lieu of flowers, Dad would be honored with donations to your local Hospice Care Center.

Online Condolences: ShrineOfRemembrance.com