Following a heroic battle with cancer, Husband, Father, Brother, Son and Friend, Jay Richard Clark, (Jaybird), 53 of Richland, Washington passed from this life in Richland on Friday, January 5^th, 2024, into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jay was born May 12^th, 1970, to Pam and Larry Clark in Yakima, Washington. After graduating from his childhood playground, Davis High School in 1988, Jay went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at WSU extension Tri-Cities, Washington.

While in high school, Jay found his lifelong passion for weightlifting and body building and was an accomplished power lifter and body builder winning multiple awards including Mr. Tri-Cities in 1995.

It was his passion for body building that led Jay to meet the love of his life, Jenni Anderson, who was working the front desk at Gold’s Gym. This was the beginning of a beautiful 30-year relationship, 25 years of marriage full of many wonderful adventures and poignant moments but none so poignant as the birth of their three children Jordyn Ann (22), Jayda Grace (20) and Jaxon Otto Larry (17).

Jay was truly a beautiful gift from God and freely shared his Heavenly gifts with focused passion and gentle love as a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym, a care provider at Avalon Health & Rehabilitation Center, with the youth at Tri-Cities juvenile detention center, while coaching his daughters’ Jordy and Jayda’s AAU teams, most recently passing down all of his weightlifting knowledge to his son, Jaxon as they had many great workouts together and for the last 22 years as a pharmaceutical representative with Merck & Co., Inc. where Jay’s passion for public health and educational awareness earned him a trusted position in the Tri-Cities medical community. With Merck, Jay formed many genuine friendships that all began with his ability to make it a point to always know your name. In Jay’s 22 years with Merck, he was distinguished in his work by earning the Vice President’s Award seven times and adopted a quote from his boss and friend, Aisha Pegram, “Favor Isn’t Fair Jay Clark.”

Jay and Jenni fell in love with and developed a passion for Maui, Hawaii on their 10^th wedding anniversary. Maui became a home away from home as they returned thirteen more times in the last 15 years, most recently this past September/October as Jay and Jenni celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary. This love of Maui sparked Jay’s vast collection of Tommy Bahama Hawaiian shirts.

Jay was an avid bar-b-quer and could be found at his smoker on weekends where he created his famous “Clark Burger” and “Cocktail Friday.”

Jay is survived by his best friend and wife of 25 years, Jenni Clark, his three children Jordyn Ann Clark, Jayda Grace Clark and Jaxon Otto Larry Clark, his mother Pam Clark, his brother Jeff (wife Leah).

Jay joined his Lord and Heavenly Father for a Heavenly family reunion with his father Larry Clark, his maternal grandfather and grandmother Otto and Dorothy Miller, his paternal grandmother Edith Vangun and Mother-in-law, Ginger Anderson.

Our family wishes to extend sincere gratitude to everyone who has shown so much love and care during this time. We truly appreciate all your prayers and support and are so thankful for you.

A GoFundMe account has been established and organized by close family friend Emily Jaraysi entitled: Paying Tribute To Jay

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, January 21^st @ 2PM at Hillspring Church, 1151 Gage Blvd. in Richland, WA with a reception immediately following.

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.