By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Clark

James R. Clark Jr., former Hamilton County Commissioner and member of the Ohio House of Representatives, was proud of his profession and his heritage.

"He lived and breathed being a lawyer and being Irish," said his daughter, Candy Clark Baron of Hyde Park. "And he cared about the community."

Mr. Clark served as Hamilton County Commissioner during the Cuban missile crisis and helped establish the warning siren test that still happens the first Wednesday of the month. He died Wednesday at Deupree Community in Oakley of Alzheimer's Disease. The lifelong Hyde Park resident was 81.

Mr. Clark graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1939. He went on to study at the University of Notre Dame until he was called to duty in the Army in 1944. He served as a judge-advocate in the Philippines during World War II.

Honorably discharged in 1946 as a disabled veteran, he returned to Cincinnati and enrolled in the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where he earned his law degree and was admitted to the Ohio Bar Association in 1947.

He joined his father's law firm, Clark & Eyrich, which later became Clark & Clark, L.P.A, and practiced corporate law.

In 1949, he married Mary Jane Buse.

A Republican, Mr. Clark was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1950. He served two terms before accepting an appointment as Hamilton County Commissioner - a position he held for eight years. During his years in public office, Mr. Clark continued to work as a lawyer. He retired in 2000.

Mr. Clark served as president of the Ohio Citizens Council for Heath & Welfare; president of Little Miami, Inc.; a member of the Ohio Commodores; and former president and chairman of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

His wife preceded him in death.

Besides his daughter, Candy Clark Baron of Hyde Park; other survivors include a daughter, Cindy McCarthy of East Walnut Hills; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery. Memorials: Deupree Community, 4001 Roselyn Ave., Cincinnati, 45209; Alzheimer's Association of Cincinnati, 644 Linn St., Cincinnati, OH 45203; or to VITAS Healthcare, 11500 Northlake Dr., #440, Cincinnati, OH 45249.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com