James Napier Clark was born December 1^st, 1950 in Fort Wayne, IN to Isabelle and Allan Clark.  When Jim was four, his father died suddenly and he, his mother, and his sister Ann moved to the Blue Springs area and he grew up there with his mother, sister, and “Gram” – Bella Napier.

Being the man of the house from an early age, he also started working at a young age, and his entrepreneurial spirit grew with his first “business” at the age of 12 when he worked at Lake Jacomo taking sodas around the lake to sell to fishermen.  He loaded a few beers under the sodas to sell to his best customers for a premium, and the businessman was born. In 6^th grade, he started teasing and pulling pranks on fellow student Christine Bebee, a trend that continued for years, even when they went to different universities after high school.  Chris and Jim were married after college and just celebrated their 50^th anniversary this past August.  She was the light of his life and center of his world, as he was for her.

He graduated from the University of Missouri with a BS in business and worked in sales a short time before starting the House of Hooch.  Eventually, these stores transitioned from liquor to convenience stores and became The Little General stores.

Alongside the stores, he has had a successful five state radio business, real estate ventures, and somehow found time to volunteer as a Deputy for Jackson County for three decades.  The time that he was not working was devoted completely to Chris and his two daughters, Nicole and Megan.  He loved horses, photography, poker, skiing, ATVing, and most of all, just being in the mountains.  Those interests all came after his family, however.

Jim will be remembered by his family as being the best husband, father, and grandfather we could ever imagine.  His brilliance, strength, and determination (and sometimes his outspoken nature) made it difficult for many people to truly know him.  Those of us who were lucky enough to love him saw his heart of gold, generous spirit, and his core nature of being a caregiver. 

He was a success at many things in his life, but most of all his success is leaving the legacy of his family.  He is survived by his wife Chris; daughter Nicole Beckstrom and her husband Nick and son Tucker James; daughter Megan Alm and her husband John and son Connor.

There will be a brief service at Royer funeral home in Grain Valley on Thursday Dec 7^th at 1pm, followed by a graveside service at Blue Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Kappa chapter at the University of Missouri or Tucker Beckstrom and Connor Alm Education Fund at the website https://everloved.com/life-of/james-napier-clark/ or send check to 28500 E Pink Hill Rd, Independence MO 64057. 

Obituary submitted by family.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO   816-847-4441