James Burge

James Lloyd Burge, 75, of Little Rock passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2016. He was born October 25, 1940 in Casa, Arkansas to Lloyd Rodale and Mattie Harrison Burge. He was the owner/operator of James Burge Photography, Inc. and a founding member of Arkansas Professional Photographers Association, and a member Professional Photographers of the Ozarks, Southwest Professional Photographers Association and Professional Photographers of America. James was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and Rotary Club in Sherwood.
He graduated from Casa High School and then attended Arkansas Tech University and earned his Bachelor's degree in Math and Physics. He worked for the Arkansas State Highway Department as a surveyor for several years. Out of his garage, he pursued his love of photography part time as a hobby and eventually opened his own photography studio in Sherwood in 1971. He owned and operated one of the most successful portrait photography studios and photofinishing labs in Arkansas before retiring in 2011. He took the photograph of Gov. David Pryor that the official painting was made from. His creativity and style set a high standard for wedding photographers in the state. He also was one of the inaugural photographers for the Bush/Quayle presidency. He made revisions to photo printing equipment that helped the success of the Pako BC-24 printer. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia "Patty" Burge; children, James Luther Burge, Michael Lloyd Burge (Brandy), Debra Burge Kuykendall (Terry) and Lisa Karen Oden (Jerry); grandchildren, Khakee Kuykendall, Kamryn Kuykendall, Kenna Kuykendall, Timothy Oden, and Mason Oden; siblings, Larry Burge, Linda Beck (Butch), and Jack Burge (Gradean); and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jeane Brown; and brother, Ronald Burge.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Burial with graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Casa Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15 at the funeral home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .