of Vilonia, AR
March 24, 1939 - August 4, 2013
James Dennis Edwards, 74 of Vilonia, passed from this life on August 4, 2013. He was born March 24, 1939 in Cypress Valley, Arkansas to the late Denver and Delilah Edwards. Mr. Edwards owned and operated Central industrial Electric Company (CIECO) for 35 years. He served on the Board of Faulkner County Senior Citizens, Vice President of Vilonia Car Club, Board of Vilonia Sewer Committee, Trustee of Vilonia United Methodist Church, and he was instrumental in starting Vilonia Baseball/Softball Complex, Vilonia Senior Citizens, and Vilonia Fire Station. He also served on the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board, and he started the first electrical apprenticeship school in Arkansas that is still being used today.
His hobby was restoring antique cars and going to car shows to show them off. He particularly loved going on the Hot Rod Power Tour and Crusin' the Coast. He restored a 1936 Street Rod, a 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air, a 1966 mustang, and 1968 Chevelle. As much as he loved his cars, his greatest joy was spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tommy Joe Edwards.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 54 years: Jolene Bailey Edwards, daughter: Tina (Ronnie) Evatt of Vilonia, son: Jeff (Rebecca) Edwards of Maumelle, granddaughter: Kristen (Brandon) Ayers of Vilonia, grandsons: Braden (Ashley) Evatt of Vilonia, Kalab (Cynthia) Edwards of Vilonia, Brandon Vann of Maumelle, brother: Dale (Dianne) Edwards of Vilonia, great granddaughters: Bailee and Kamryn Ayers of Vilonia, Emberly Edwards of Vilonia, soon to be great grandson: Bryson Evatt and honorary great-grandson, Landon Dyre.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, August 5th, 2013, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Conway. Services will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, August 6th, at Vilonia United Methodist Church with Pastors Dooley Fowler and Nathan Kilborne officiating. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Braden Evatt, Kalab Edwards, Brandon Ayers, Ronald Bailey, Dale Edwards, and George Satterfield. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Forsythe, Paul Fox, Howard Williams, Freddy Fowlkes, Billy Mitchell, and members of the Vilonia Car Club. Interment will be at Vilonia Cemetery. Donation can be made to Vilonia United Methodist Church Building Fund.
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24 Condolence(s)
Martin Chilcote
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to James's family & friends, and may God's love give you comfort with your many years of wonderful memories you shared with James.
David Heslep
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
James Edwards was one of the greatest men i know. He was a very good boss for over 20 years of my electrical career. I am very sorry of his passing and he will be missed dearly. Prayers and thoughts for his family.
Tim Calliotte
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Eleven great years of my electrician life with his company! Won't ever be forgotten. Good memories! Many prayers for Jolene and family, so sorry for your loss.
Steve and Lisa Hood
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Dear Edwards Family,
We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Cathy McDow
Monday, August 5, 2013
Dear Edwards family,
I am very sorry to hear that James has passed away. Not only was he highly respected by so many in the Little Rock construction industry, but he also did so much for his home community of Vilonia. You are in my prayers and may God bless you.
Paul & Judy
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene,
We've have had so much fun with the two of you at car shows, and fundraising events throughout the years. James loved his cars and using them to help others. He was a good man, loved you and his family so much, we will miss him.
Tommy & Brenda Fowlkes
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene and family
so sorry to hear about James. Our prayers are with your family.
James & Shirley Pollard
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene, We were saddened to hear that James had died. We knew he had been ill for a long time. We will keep ;you in our thoughts and prayers and hope it will help you through this difficult time.
James and Shirley Pollard
Lois Ball
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know James put up a good fight. He will be missed . You and your family are in my thought and prayers.
Lois
Brandy McCroskey Howard
Monday, August 5, 2013
Vilonia lost a very good man. He gave so much to the community over the years. His work with the softball/baseball association helped make it possible. Many a years I played with a CIECO jersey. Not only did he help in Vilonia but his presence was county wide. Always at the Faulkner Co Fair premium sale bidding on the youths livestock. He was truly a man about helping his community.
He will be missed.
Christa Lea Scholle Linihan
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene & Family----This was an obit I didn't want to read. Betty Janski usually sends me the dreaded news but we are much too young to see this one......James was a good friend, a very good person and sounds as though he was a wonderful family man. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.....Christa Lea
Kieth &Pricilla McCord
Monday, August 5, 2013
We are sorry for your loss. James will be missed .
Charlene Hayes-Vick
Monday, August 5, 2013
My heartfelt sympathy for this loving family in the loss of Mr. James. May God comfort you in the days ahead for understanding in the peace he now has.
Barry Simon
Monday, August 5, 2013
James has been a friend I met in CAEA, he certainly will be missed.
Don Renshaw
Monday, August 5, 2013
Jolene and family..........James was one of a kind. He took pride in his work and was a mentor to me in the past. He and I both had a love for cars and we visited quite a bit at the car shows. I will miss him.
My prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Steve Johnson
Monday, August 5, 2013
James Edwards was my favorite electrician.
Gaines Norton
Monday, August 5, 2013
I had many good times with James in the Duck Woods.
Bobby and Brenda Williams
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Jolene and Family
So sorry for your loss. May your loving and fun memories give you peace and comfort.
Brenda and Bobby Williams
Bobby and Brenda Williams
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Jolene and Family,
BETTY TERRY
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Jolene & Family: So sorry to hear about James. Just a note to let you know that you & the family are in my thoughts and prayers. May GOD'S blessings be with you and the family at this time. Love, Betty
BETTY TERRY
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Jolene & Family: So sorry to hear about James. Just a note to let you know that you & the family are in my thoughts and prayers. May GOD'S blessings be with you and the family at this time. Love, Betty
John Ronza
Sunday, August 4, 2013
James has been a treasured friend for many years and I am very sorry to his family that he has left us so soon after retirement. I learned much from James and will certainly miss him.
Jamie & Robyn Hamilton
Sunday, August 4, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Have a lot of respect for James. Praying for the family.
-Jamie Hamilton
Glen and Sherry Clememts
Sunday, August 4, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.