Deceased June 4, 2013
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
50th Reunion Book Entry
In Memory
Jerry Clark died June 4, 2013, in Orinda, Calif., of pneumonia following two years of ill health. He was born in New York City in 1931 and grew up in Darien, Conn. Upon graduating from Darien High School, he matriculated at Amherst.
At Amherst, Jerry participated in a host of extracurricular activities. These included, at various times, the Automobile Association, the Glee Club, the Concert Choir, the football team and the golf team, on which he lettered his senior year. He was a founding member of the Zumbyes. He served as president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity his senior year.
Jerry graduated summa cum laude with high honors in mathematics. His interests were broad, and he took full advantage of the history and English departments.
He then went on to Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar, the highest scholastic honor awarded by the business school.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, he joined the St. Regis Paper Co., working with the top management on future planning. By 1968 he and his family were living in West Virginia. He decided to move to California, so he resigned his position at St. Regis and settled in Orinda. He soon joined Crown Zellerbach, again as a future planner, followed by a similar position at James River. He finished his successful business career as chief executive of a local chocolate company.
On a trip to Bermuda, Jerry met his future wife, Janet Kirby, whom he married in 1960. They had three children. His beloved Janet predeceased him.
Jerry was always good company and loyal to his friends. He enjoyed golf, reading and managing his investments, and he was devoted to his family, particularly his nine grandchildren.
Jerome Hatton Clark: an extraordinary individual.
Steve Schneider ’52