Jim Clancy

James Norwood Clancy, Jr. was born September 21, 1937 to Jack and Martha Moore Clancy of Shreveport, LA, whose love and musicality would profoundly shape his journey through life. He was reunited with them, his sister, Jane Debenport of Temple, TX, along with his son, Dave Clancy of Memphis, TN, in eternal peace on April 16, 2025.

Jim attended Fair Park HS, class of 1955, where he spent two years in track & field, specializing in the high jump. His love for sports - especially golf and football -stayed with him throughout his life. He remained a loyal Cowboys fan and never missed watching a major golf tournament until this year's Masters, as his hard-fought battle was ending. He loved watching athletes achieve their dreams and become champions.

Jim Clancy came from a very musical family. His mother Martha was an opera singer who founded the graded choir program in the Baptist Church, while his father Jack often led their congregation in song. It was in this musical environment that he formed his first vocal group at the tender age of nine. This boy's trio sang together for two years, performing at many Baptist conventions.

Jim's talents led him to attend Baylor University on a violin scholarship where he met the witty humorist, Grady Nutt and formed his first quartet, The Troubadours. This musical comedy group provided their own instrumental accompaniment and won the Intercollegiate Southwest Talent Conference Championship in 1957.

That same year, Jim formed a second quartet, The Four Laffs. This is the first group that featured Jim's arrangements using his favorite "Four Freshman style" harmony. A year later, The Fore-Sites was formed. This group aspired to perform professionally, and they transferred together to North Texas State College. The quartet performed with the school's first jazz band, Fess Graham and the Aces. Soon after, they got their first professional gig singing at Herb's Magic Grill in Dallas and packed the place, receiving great reviews from Dallas columnists. They signed a contract with Mercury Records in 1960.

While at Herbs, the Fore-Sites was discovered by Bill Meeks, owner of PAMS Productions. PAMS helped pioneer the radio station "jingle" industry in Dallas. This was Jim's first introduction into jingle singing, which was to later become his career. His rich, resonant, deep bass voice became a cherished sound in advertising. TM Studios recently wrote, "Jim is widely regarded as the most recorded bass singer of all time. Over the course of five decades, he lent his rich voice to jingles for thousands of radio stations all over the world. He was so beloved that clients would often request him by name. One famously told his Program Director, 'Don't even bother getting on the plane to Dallas if Clancy isn't on the session.'" Jim is identified locally as the bass voice of the infamous "Wa-Wa-Westway Ford" jingle.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann McCaa, and together they had two wonderful sons, Dave and Greg, both talented musicians. Jim has five grandchildren, Elizabeth Walker, Michael Clancy and Meredith Cox of Springfield, MO, and McCaa and Jack Clancy of Dallas, TX. He also has four great-grandchildren.

In 1971, Jim was instrumental in starting The Vocal Majority Chorus, the acclaimed all-male acapella chorus in Dallas. He became the group's Musical Director in 1974 and remained its leader for over forty years. During that time, the VM earned an unprecedented eleven International Gold Medal Championships, including an extraordinary streak of ten consecutive wins. This legacy stands as a testament to Jim's dedication, visionary artistry, musical brilliance, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Jim was an esteemed Lifetime Member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for over fifty years. He was honored to be a member of the Hall of Fame and was bestowed many other prestigious awards throughout his years with this world-wide organization.

Jim was very proud of his son, Greg, who became the Vocal Majority's Musical Director in 2014. The VM went on to win its twelfth and thirteenth gold medal championships and will be competing for its fourteenth this summer in Denver.

Jim has been a musical clinician and coach throughout the US and the UK, has directed the VM for two sitting US Presidents, and has conducted several concerts with the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His passion to emotionally touch his audiences and inspire his singers to be better men, husbands and fathers was at the forefront of all his musical endeavors.

Jim's style of arranging four-part harmony is unique and sought-after worldwide. Vocal arranging may even be his greatest gift, as he arranged nearly 400 songs for VM. His beautiful ballads are often said to have been inspired by his beloved wife, Judy.

Jim's arrangements are available at jimclancyarrangements.com.

Jim met his beautiful soul-mate Judy Odom from Oklahoma City through barbershop singing. She was the 1987 International Queen of Harmony, singing bass with Ginger 'n Jazz quartet. They married in 1988 in Dallas with The Vocal Majority singing at their wedding. Jim helped raise Judy's son, Kemper (K.C.) Odom, and they enjoyed a life together rich in family, VM, love of nature, music, and travel.

Jim's favorite places were at home with Judy, at their Caddo Lake Camp or in the majestic mountains of Colorado or Montana. Some years ago, they bought land outside of Westcliffe, CO, built a small cabin in the mountains, and enjoyed an adventurous time together, hoping to retire to this peaceful life. God had other plans as they remained in Flower Mound.

Jim and Judy's blessed love story was evident by all who met them, even up to Jim's last days in the hospital and skilled nursing home.

Jim passed at age 87 from a year-long battle and complications from cancer. He was an incredibly strong fighter, extremely positive and strong in his faith. He remained sweet, kind, humorous, and very loving throughout his difficult journey.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Judy, his caring son, Greg and wife, Jennifer of Frisco, TX, stepson, K.C. Odom and wife, Yuka who have shared their lives with Jim the past four years, his younger brother, Dr. Phillip Clancy and wife, Judi, of Whitewright, TX, and daughter-in- law, Genelle Clancy of Memphis, TN.

He has five grandchildren; Liz Walker and husband Aaron, Michael Clancy, Meredith Cox, McCaa and Jack Clancy; seven nieces, Jennifer Coke, Jessica Wilds, Hallie Garelis, Emily Clancy, Kay Holsomback, Cheri Jo Harveston and Ame McBride; and two nephews, Joel Huddleston and Daniel Clancy, along with four beautiful great-grandchildren.

Jim was also very proud of his Minnesota family-two brothers-in-law; Lee and Deanne Stokes and John and Linda Stokes from Minnesota, one niece Kelly and John Holmes from Wisconsin and three nephews; Matthew, Mark and Jamie, and Bryan and Sarah Stokes, from Alaska. He has two great-nieces; Carmen Holmes, Rosalee Stokes and four great-nephews; Logan, Carson, and Kellan Stokes, and Chris Holmes.

Jim and Judy have been faithful members of White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, TX since 2016.

The world has lost a beautiful musician and friend, a tremendous leader of men and an incomparable arranger and director. Yet, his legacy shines bright through the countless lives he touched and the music that continues to resonate.

But perhaps even more impressive than his musical accolades, is that Jim was a humble, truly kind and sweet giant of a man who was a true Southern gentleman, making everyone seem important in his presence. A friend and pastor said to Jim right before taking his last earthly breath, "God's love pours out of you with everyone you meet. You have touched thousands of lives, and your music will live on."

If you were lucky enough to know Jim Clancy, your life was indeed blessed.

A Celebration of Life for Jim Clancy will be Monday, May 5, 2:00 pm, at White's Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jim Clancy Memorial at VocalMajority.com/donate.