of Yellville, CO

June 6, 1951 - February 14, 2020

Gary Lee James, 68, of Yellville, Arkansas passed away February 14, 2020. He was born June 6, 1951 in Harrison, Arkansas to Russell Lee and Betty Lou James.
He was a deep thinker, careful with his words, quick to listen and slow to speak. He was always a phone call away for anyone in need and was usually on the way before he hung up the phone. He could always be counted on by family and friends alike to lend an ear and wise counsel, often times speaking in parables. Some we understood, and some made us scratch our heads, but either way you never left a conversation with him without giving careful consideration to what he said.
He was brilliant, but humble, and he never quite figured out how a country boy from Yellville, Arkansas was allowed to sit at the table with those with a PhD behind their name. He served in the United States Air Force and received numerous awards and accolades as part of the Unit of the Strategic Air Command, America's Nuclear Deterrent Force of Long Range Bombers and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, with a focus on the Titan II.
He was an explorer of back roads, usually at a high rate of speed, and was always down for the journey, preferring a compass over a map, and always stopping for a good bite to eat along the way, preferably a steak.
He was not a great pre-planner, but compensated by being an excellent improviser. He did things his way which was usually the opposite of how anyone else would do them, and took great pleasure in proving to us that he knew what he was doing, despite our misgivings.
He was the worst fisherman but usually caught the biggest fish, and bagged the biggest buck sitting comfortably in his ranger. He was an amateur meteorologist, unintentional collector of: plaid shirts, gadgets that only he knew how to operate, circuit boards of all shapes and sizes, and seriously more computers than Best Buy.
His ''fraheetas'', known to most of you as fajitas, green beans, and baked beans were legendary, and included just about everything he could throw in a pot. No known recipes exists as they were ''classified''.
If he had a prized possession, other than his night vision goggles, it was his family. When they were all together, he stood and watched with his chest puffed just a little and surveyed his clan. Family was never limited to genetics and once you broke bread with the James', you were from that moment on expected at all family functions whether they be at his and Alice's house, Andy's house (sometimes planned without Andy's knowledge), or down at the creek. It gave him great joy to have everyone together.
If a life well lived could be measured by the number of folks that will readily offer a heartfelt ''he will be missed'', Gary's impact on those around him could never be quantified.
He leaves behind a rowdy bunch, including a grumpy Beagle named Garfunkle, two really old campers full of what can only be described as junk (thanks Dad) and a legacy of genuine compassion, generosity, wisdom and unrelenting pursuit to be the man God called him to be.
In a letter written to his family for a time such as this, he gave two bits of advice to his children but said he thought it would hold true for ''about anybody'', so we share with you.
1. Try to do what God wants and don't worry about what anyone else thinks.
2. It's ok to strive to achieve, but always be grateful for what you've got, seek out the blessings that are ever around you, and don't worry about what you can't change.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Russell Lee James, and his grand-son, Hagen Jones. He is survived by his mother, Betty Lou James, his aunt, Joyce James, his wife, Alice James and his children: Staci James, Andrew James (Stephanie), Jamie Smith, Josh Milligan (Cynthia) and Trevin Milligan (Sonya). It is important to note that these five weren't his only children. He fostered and loved their friends as though they too were his. He is also survived by a ton of grandkids. Allie Elliott (Keven), Tyler Morris, Weston Champion, Keelyn Smith, Adison James, Aticus James, Jackson Whitsell, Justin Milligan, Lucy Milligan, Haven Whitsell, Luke James and Tate Milligan, and two great grandsons, Jeremiah Elliott and Delcan Morris-Jones.
He was fond of saying ''A pig's gotta do, what a pig's gotta do'', and while we are not altogether sure what he meant by that, we know he's right, and so, we will honor him and follow the example that he set for us. He was very proud of us. And we are so very proud of him.
Visitation: Monday, February 17, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Private Burial
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Pyatt Baptist Church Children's Ministry or Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

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