Jeff Clark

Jefferey David Clark was born on July 22, 1959 in Bitburg Germany to military parents. Throughout his childhood, he moved around often, from Long Island to Orange County to Hampton Virginia, eventually settling in Fairfield at Travis Airforce Base. He returned to the East Coast and graduated from Hampton High School in 1977, attending Saint Mary’s College in Maryland shortly after. Before he could even finish college his music career took off, touring with The Platters in 1979. He continued touring and working on the east coast until 1986, when he got married and moved to California. He had a daughter, Audrey, the following year. This completed the first era of his life: Jeff the globe-trotting drummer, and opened up the second era: Jeff the loving father and community builder. He started working at an upstart music store called Gordon’s Music, and for the next 22 years, built a thriving music community. If you needed advice about a guitar, advice about your life, or just a good laugh, Jeff was your guy. Jeff was legendary for his stories, and if you went to see him for any reason, you were going to leave with at least 5 solid minutes of stand-up comedy. He formed a rock band called Landshark, joined the praise band at Rockville Presbyterian Church, and continued performing throughout the years. Jeff’s passion for music led him to explore many different avenues. Not only was he an accomplished percussionist in all genres, but he was also deeply fascinated by the science of sound, launching his own sound company and becoming an expert in audio engineering. Late in his career, he moved to Tweed Hut and yet again built a thriving community in downtown Vacaville. Around this time, Jeff entered the third era of his life and took his final stage name: Papa Beebo, the world’s best grandpa. He was an incredibly present and influential grandfather to Audrey’s three children. Being a shoulder to lean on, a guiding hand, and a barrel of laughs will ultimately be what he is remembered for. Jeff had a short battle with lung cancer that spread quickly, and he faced it with unwavering courage and an upbeat spirit until the end. Jeff leaves behind a legacy of performance art in the truest sense. He could make you smile on your worst day, and he could make you feel seen and understood. His passing is a massive loss for the community, but his legacy lives on in the generations of kids who continue to thrive in the community he fostered. He is survived by his sister Dale, his daughter Audrey, his son-in-law Chas, and his three grandchildren—Ella, Charlie, and Maggie.