Los Angeles Musicians Union Representative James Clark Sr. Passes!

One Thursday evening in 1986, long story short, my grades sux'd, I wasn't motivated and worse for me I remember I didn't feel I had much hope. My Mom, instead of yelling or causing my lower realms to glow like a fire fly, stated Your Uncle's Fraternity is having a retreat this weekend and You ARE Going!

Oh, Crap! That was the last thing I wanted to do. Reflecting on it now I didn't want to do anything and that was the problem.

I joined The Kappa League, part of the Guide Right Program, headed by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. I was mentored by my Uncle Wayne and alot of his very smart Brothers. It is a relationship that has lasted me more than twenty years now. It is important to mentor young people. My own daughter has been mentored by Delta Sigma Theta's Delta GEM program and A.M.E. Daughters of Destiny Rites of Passage program. She's a nice well rounded citizen. My Big Brother Jimi, has continued to shepherd me to this day. Be a mentor if you can. Mentoring means that you are letting a young person know that they matter and hopefully they will believe and know that they do!

My Big Brother Jimi's father has passed on at the age of 95 after suffering a long illness. It is with a selfish sadness that we weep but we are not bound by death any longer, thanks to Yeshua (Jesus) so with that we look forward to seeing him again soon.

James Bernard Clark Sr. was born on January 25, 1913 to November 25, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee and raised in South Bend, Indiana. He attended Indiana University and majored in Physical Education. He pledged Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha chapter, under the founders in 1934. While on earth worked as a musician, union representative, and promoter.

He played the Acoustic Bass for Fletcher Henderson and Carmen Miranda. As a teen he played an entire summer with Duke Ellington in the late 1920's. He helped to merge and end the segregated musician's union system in Los Angeles in the 1940's that so many of us benefit from today alongside Conductor Gerald Wilson.

He was a lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He leaves behind a loving wife and friend, Mrs. Carol Clark of 58 years, a Loving Son, James B. Clark Jr, a Loving Daughter, Candice Moody, a Daughter in Law, Mrs. Vivian Clark, a son in Law Gary Moody, another Kappa Man (Phi Nu Pi), Two Grand Children Aisha Moody and Hasaan Moody of Pasadena, CA and countless friends and musical comrades in arms.

Sleep well til the Last Day! It won't be long!

BE Mindful! BE Prayerful! BE Careful!

Jaycee