James Faulkner

James H. Faulkner, 88, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. He was born in Malvern, Arkansas, the son of Hershel and Helen Faulkner. Jim was a graduate of Malvern High School and the University of Arkansas where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was a member of the Razorback Band, a letterman on the tennis team, a sportswriter for the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Traveler, and served as an Assistant Sports Publicity Director for the University.

Jim was a longtime member of St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, serving as a lifetime trustee.

Prior to serving two years as an officer in the United States Air Force, Jim worked for several months as an announcer, copywriter and sports announcer for radio KDAS in Malvern. Following his USAF service, he worked one year for KATV in Little Rock as an announcer and weatherman before beginning his illustrious business career in advertising and publishing and later in real estate and banking.

He was an avid tennis player and, along with his wife Joyce, won several state mixed-doubles tennis championships in their age category. In addition, they were founders of the Arkansas Tennis Patron’s Association.

Traveling was a great passion for both Jim and Joyce, who visited a total of 127 countries. One favorite trip for Jim was in 1973 when, as a member of a National Geographic Team, he traveled the Omo River in Ethiopia.   Jim had brought along his “Little Soo" talking doll. Much to his amusement, villagers mistook this for “magic” and followed them down the river.

In 1957, Jim founded James H. Faulkner Advertising as a one-man firm in Pine Bluff. He later moved to Little Rock, changing the name to Faulkner & Associates where it grew into one of the largest and most respected marketing firms in the Southwest. The client list included Worthen Bank (the state’s largest at that time), Dillard’s Department Stores, Riceland Foods and The Arkansas Industrial Development Corporation. During this time, Jim also developed a premium for the banking industry, talking cheerleader dolls. Arkansas’ “Little Soo Dolls” were marketed to Texas and Oklahoma, and were considered one of the most successful premiums in the nation.

When Jim obtained the Dillard’s account, he saw an opportunity to bring video production to Little Rock.  Prior to that, most of the video production for Arkansas was done out of Dallas. He formed Falcon Video Productions and Falcon Distributors. Falcon Video was the first video production company in Arkansas producing commercials for advertisers, and Falcon Video Distributors was the first video movie and game distribution company in the mid-south, representing all major movie studios and video game companies in the nation.

Faulkner and Faulkner, Inc., a partnership formed in 1996 with his son Phil, operated six food store franchises in three states. In 1996, the company received an award as Franchise of the Year for Frullati Franchise Systems Inc. from the International Franchise Association.

Following the sale of his privately-owned businesses and until his death, Jim remained active as an investor, principally in real estate and banking endeavors. He was a director of First Security Bancshares, one of the largest bank holding companies in Arkansas. He also formed a partnership with Lindsey Development Company in six central Arkansas multi-family housing developments and three 18-hole golf courses.

Jim will be remembered for his public service and philanthropy over the years which includes University of Arkansas Volunteer of the Year, Founding Committee member of Towers of Old Main, Director of the University of Arkansas Foundation, Steering Committee member of the University of Arkansas Campaign Arkansas, a One Million Dollar University of Arkansas Scholarship Pledge, New Uniforms for Razorback Band Campaign, The Jim & Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center, Scholarship Gifts for Malvern and Benton High Schools, Vice Chairman of the Arkansas Olympic Committee, Vice President for Development of the Arkansas Olympic Committee, Vice President for Development of the Arkansas Easter Seal Society and a Director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Jim’s professional honors included being inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame; serving as Past President of the Southwestern Association of Advertising Agencies and Past Chairman of the Southwest Council of the American Association of Advertising Agencies; and being awarded the Silver Medal from the Arkansas Advertising Federation.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his friends and family for his strength, generosity, wit, wisdom and zest for life. He was the busiest retired person around. He was a proud Razorback fan and never forgot his Arkansas roots. His love for family was boundless and being with them was a source of great happiness. He was so proud of his wife, children and grandchildren who lovingly called him “GrandJim”.  He cherished memories made with them on fabulous family trips all over the world as well as special times at their family lake house on Lake Catherine. He lived his life by the same principles he taught his children; work hard, love your family, live life to the fullest, and stop and smell the roses along the way.

He was preceded in death by both parents; a brother, Jerry Faulkner; and by two sons, James Phillip Faulkner and John “Zan” Davis IV. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 50 years, Joyce Potts Faulkner. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Faulkner, U.S. Magistrate Judge (Ret.) and wife, Sheila, of Frisco, Texas; three daughters, Brianne Faulkner Bush, Lisa Faulkner Breau (Randy) of Little Rock and Amy Catherine Parker (Greg) of College Station, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Sue Faulkner of Little Rock; nine grandchildren, Anna Davis, Hannah Breau, Connor Breau and Cate Parker, all of Little Rock, Alex (Nicki) Bush of Ashburn, Virginia, Christopher Faulkner of Aurora, Colorado, Davis Parker of College Station, Texas; Mackenzie Bush of Seattle, Washington and many nieces and nephews who adored him.

A special thanks to Shawnda’s Elderly Care, Sam and Curtis who took loving care of Jim during his illness.

Due to COVID-19, a private family service and burial will be held. For online condolences, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com. Final resting place will be Forest Hills Cemetery, 10200 Highway 5 N., Alexander, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Arkansas 72212 or the Charity of your choice.