James Stephen Clarke

1951 - 2011

James Stephen Clarke, 59, son of Carline and William Clarke Sr. of Concord, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in Palmer, Alaska.

Jim was born in Portland, Maine, then moved to Concord as a young boy with his family. He attended Concord schools, and then followed his dreams to the Alaskan Wilderness. He then joined the US Army where he served in Korea during the Vietnam War. Returning to Alaska, he claimed a tract of land in 1972 under the Homestead Act and began a new series of adventures. He panned and mined for gold, worked on the Alaskan pipeline, raised sled dogs, rebuilt Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and helped to build an airplane, to name a few. He traveled to the rain forest in South America and helped to build an elaborate residence in the canopies of the trees. He retired from the Alaska Department of Transportation, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator. Jim was a lover of the outdoors from a young age, hunting, fishing and exploring the mountains of the northeast. He was a person that impacted everyone that he met. He was always full of energy, good natured and kind. He was wise, and people could talk to him about anything. Once you met him, you couldn't help but love him. He also loved animals, antiques, and was an avid gun collector. He especially loved his wife and family.

He leaves his wife Glenda of Palmer, Alaska, and his children, Leif Peterson of Benson, Ariz., Sean Peterson, Jon McDaniels, Wade Williams, Annakisa Peterson and Kalah Peterson, all of Alaska. He leaves his brothers, Thomas Clarke of Maine, Gregory Clarke of Manchester, William Jr. of Concord; and his sisters, Margaret Clarke of Goshen, Julie Rich, Lori Clarke and Lisa Greene of Concord; and an abundant number of relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father, William Clarke Sr.

There will be no calling hours.

A mass will be said in his name Saturday, May 21, at 4:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Concord.