By CAROLANNE MURRAY
Northeast News 
June 19, 2013

“Jimmy was such a nice guy, I don’t see anyone stabbing him for malice,” said Michael Low, outreach worker at Bessie’s House.

At approximately 6 a.m. June 13, 56-year-old Native American Jimmy Clark was found deceased behind the Fast Stop on Independence Avenue at a homeless camp known commonly by its residents as the “shooting gallery.” While the cause of death has not been released, locals and friends of Clark believe he was stabbed. The intention behind the alleged stabbing is unknown.

“I’ll miss him,” Low said. “Everybody has their fault, but Jimmy was a likable guy. He seemed to get along with everybody.”

The Cheyenne Arapaho Native American grew up in Concho, Okla. He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Concho. It was not until high school that he moved to Lawrence, Kan., and attended Haskell High School. During high school he was an active athlete and played both basketball and football. Clark left behind three children and two grandchildren.

“His kids loved him to death,” Jimmy’s friend Pam said. ” He never did anything to anybody. He was a good person and I have no idea who could do anything to him.”

His oldest daughter, Jamie, is 25 years old. His son, Anthony, and daughter Dakota are both younger. Clark also had two grandchildren, ages five and six.

According to Jamie, Clark’s favorite sports teams were the Kansas City Chiefs and the University of Kansas Jayhawks.

“He was the one that got me started on KU. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk,” Jamie said.

Clark was in and out of his childrens’ lives since they were little. Jamie remembers that her father enjoyed telling them stories about his life and scary campfire stories as well. Her favorite memory with him was when he would take her to the park and swing her on the swing set and play catch with her.

Low said Clark was a regular at “Bessie’s House,” the local homeless outreach house, since it opened.

“He had alcohol problems, like a lot of the others, but he was a spiritual guy,” Low said. “He had a very spiritual presence and was fun to be around, especially when he was sober.”

Clark’s funeral was held Tuesday, June 18, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd. It was a private funeral with only close family and friends in attendance.