James Lee Clark

Jim Clark, 59, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on April 1, 2025, peacefully in his home, following a brief illness.

Following cremation, a Memorial Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Casual attire is welcomed. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at Buzzy’s in Welton, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

James Lee Clark was born July 19, 1965, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Sharon (Schlotfeldt) and James E. Clark of DeWitt. He grew up in DeWitt, graduating with the Central Community High School Class of 1983. Jim married Annette Flammang on June 29, 1991, at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church in Grand Mound. Jim and Annette were happily married for 33 years. The couple resided in DeWitt, raising their daughter, Heather. Jim worked at Sieg Auto Parts (later Big A and then Barron Motor Supply), before owning and operating Big Daddy’s Repair for 15 years.

Jim served on the DeWitt Fire Department from 2007 until 2022, and championed fundraising for many projects in the fire department including grant writing for the ladder truck 1705. Jim also served as board president of Kids’ Business Inc. for 15 years. One of his greatest joys was being a familiar face as Santa for countless friends, families, and businesses in the community for over 30 years. 

Jim’s love for sports ran deep. He was a loyal NASCAR fan, an enthusiastic supporter of the Chicago Blackhawks and QC Steamwheelers, and a passionate follower of Iowa Hawkeye wrestling. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball with friends on the Farm Service team, and later took great pride in sponsoring the Parks & Rec. women’s slow-pitch team, as well as the DeWitt women’s bowling leagues.

Jim never met a stranger in his life, whether at Ray’s Pub, MJ’s, Cabos, Mezcal, or Lady Di’s, if you were near him having a drink or bite to eat, he would make you a friend for life. Keeping in touch with daily snap chats, or meeting up for a drink. If you needed something fixed, a listening ear, or a Big Daddy hug, he was only a phone call away and he would be there.

He is survived by his wife, Annette (Netter) Clark of DeWitt, and daughter, Heather Clark (Austin Streyffeler) of St. Charles; brothers, Anthony “Tony” (Jennifer Stoltenberg) Clark of DeWitt,  Marty (Mindy) Clark of Rock Island, IL, Rick (Shelby) Hitchcock of Andalusia, IL, Steven (Myra) Rairdon II of Brandenburg, KY; a sister, Christina (Rairdon) Dochterman of Neenah, WI; stepmother, Tami Clark of Burlington, IL; an aunt, Theresa (Wayne) Reeves, and uncle, Mike (Trudy) Kitchen; father-in-law, Marvin “Marv” Flammang; sisters-in-law, Lana (Steven) Smith, Kathy (Jake) Worden, Missy (Chris) Weber, Michelle Flammang; brothers-in-law, Kevin Flammang, Marvin Flammang Jr., Todd (Jen) Flammang, and Clyde (Connie) Tobey. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Olivia (Clark) Taylor, Bryson Clark, Dawson Nissen, Russell Stoltenberg, Chase and Carlie Isom, Madison and Corey Dochterman, Killian and Liam Rairdon, Garrett Upton, Brock and Drew Clark, Justin (Kayla) Hitchcock, Ryan Hitchcock, Andrew “Andy” and Samantha “Sam” (Angel) Flammang, Shaun (Kari) Donahue, Samanatha Donahue Ashley (John) Briseno, Clayton Smith, Brian (Kalyssa) Worden, Kaleb and Erica Flammang, Brandon, Austin, and Jayden Flammang, Hannah and Shawn Burrage.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Rairdon, father, James “Bo” Clark, stepfather, Steven Rairdon, maternal grandparents, Charles and Doris Schlotfeldt, paternal grandparents, Joseph and Helen Clark, uncles, Dave Clark, John, Ernie, and Charles Kitchen, aunts, Hazel Short, Wanda Tillberg, Joyce Clark, cousins Joe, David, and Lavonne Clark, mother-in-law, Esther “Essie” Flammang, and sister-in-law, Correen Tobey.

Memorials are suggested to the DeWitt Fire Department, Kids’ Business Inc., and the DeWitt Referral Center.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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