Jay Clark was born September 17, 1933, in Alsen, South Dakota to Clarence and Edna (Erickson) Clark. He died October 2, 2024, at the Alcester Care & Rehab Center at the age of 91 years.

Jay was raised on the family farm with his eight brothers and sisters. He attended Newdale Country School and graduated from Beresford High School. Jay served in the US Army from 1954-1956, he was stationed at White Sands in New Mexico. Following his honorable discharge, he attended USD in Vermillion. After returning to farming, Jay was united in marriage to Cleo Hongslo on October 3, 1959 at Alcester Baptist Church. Jay found the love of his life and his love for farming.

Faith, friends and farming were the most important things in Jay's life.  He showed his faith in service to his church family as a deacon and teaching Sunday School.  He served his community, as a school board member and Lions Club member.  He spent many hours with friends playing volleyball, golfing, trapshooting, hunting and fishing.  In addition to trying new things in farming, he spent many hours woodworking.  In the early years he made furniture. More recently, his favorite thing was building toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his parents, granddaughter, Amanda Jensen; his brothers, Leland "Spud" (Tina) Clark, Alvine (Mabel) Clark, and young Curtis Clark; his sisters, June (Russ) Simpson, Kay (True) Salvis, Clarys (Robert) Peterson, and Lois (Glen) Wilbur; sister-in-law, Janet Clark; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Audery and Pat Ball.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 65 years, Cleo Clark; three children, Monica (Jimmy) Jensen of Beresford, Clay (Roxanne) Clark of Alcester, and Gavin (Yvonne) Clark of Beresford; five grandchildren, Josh (Melissa) Clark, Yolanda (Josh) Dirnberger, Drew (Emma) Jensen, Lennea (Garret) Olson and Sadie (Chet) Bottorff; six great-grandchildren (with one on the way), Quinn and Wyatt Clark and Isabelle, Isaac, Melody, and Noelle Dirnberger; his brother, Gerald Clark of St. Paul, MN; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be 2PM Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Alcester Baptist Church, 409 Iowa Street, Alcester, SD  57001, with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday 5-7PM at Alcester Baptist Church with a prayer service at 7PM.