James Scott

James Sidney Scott, Sr. of North Little Rock passed from this life to his eternal home on August 18, 2015, at the age of 90. He was born September 13, 1924 in Jonesboro AR, Craighead County, to Richard Robert Scott and Sallie Edith Rhea Scott. A 1942 graduate of Paragould High School, he attended ASU, OBC (OBU), ASTC (UCA) and graduated in 1950 from U of A Fayetteville with a BSBA where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
In 1943 Jim joined the Army Air Corps attending Radio School, Aerial Gunnery School, and served on a B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific during WWII. In October of 1944 his crew was ferrying a C-47 from Okinawa, Japan, when they were engulfed by a typhoon. They were forced to ditch the plane in the Pacific Ocean and were recovered by a U.S. destroyer.
He married Betty Lou McKeithen at the First United Methodist Church in Clarksville AR, Johnson County, on August 20, 1950. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years together until Lou's passing in 2011.
Jim went into the retail lumber business as Adams Lumber Co. on Park Hill, later opening Scott Lumber Co. on Hayes Street, now known as University Avenue, in LR. Subsequently Jim established Scott Appraisal Company obtaining the professional designations of SRA, SRPA, and MAI. He served as the President of the Arkansas Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.
Jim was a Master Mason in Crescent Lodge 403 (EA, FC, MM, 1952) and a 50 year Mason. Jim was a Scottish Rite Mason, 33°.
He was a charter member of the West Little Rotary Club with 54 years perfect attendance, serving as club President, and District Governor for District 615 in 80 -81. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. Jim was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church since 1952 where he served as an usher and greeter. He was a former Justice of the Peace for Pulaski Co. Jim also enjoyed researching genealogy, and the many friends he made through Heritage Seekers and the Boomerang square dancing club.
Jim is predeceased by his parents, wife, sister Nina Swicegood, her husband William Swicegood, and niece Sarah Swicegood Allison. He is survived by his sons James (Jay) S. Scott, Jr. of NLR and Richard McKeithen Scott (Cheryl) of Dallas, daughter Susan Elizabeth Scott Clark (Paul) of NLR, grandchildren James (Sid) S. Scott III currently residing in Japan, Kathryn Leigh Clark of LR , and Elizabeth Grace Scott also of LR,and nephew Bill Swicegood (Sandy) of Lonoke.
Pallbearers are Ron Morris, Ron Allison, Bill Swicegood, Paul Clark, Dwayne Boggan, and Lee Wilbourn. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the West Little Rock Rotary Club.
The family will welcome friends Sunday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at the Smith - NLR Funeral Home on Main Street. A Celebration of Jim's life will be held Monday at 10 am at the Smith - NLR Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Shaddox officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood. Memorials can be made to the West Little Rock Rotary Club or Park Hill Baptist Church.
Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .