of Conway, AR

October 30, 1935 - June 28, 2018

James Richard ''Jim'' Balmaz, age 82 was born October 30, 1935, in Conway, Arkansas, to Gabriel Emanuel and Emma Enderlin Balmaz. Jim died in his home June 28, 2018, after a three year battle with cancer.

Jim was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church and a graduate of St. Joseph School and later attended UCA where he and his brother Gabe played baseball. In 1956 he graduated from Oklahoma State University, and his career was spent in drafting and selling building materials. When his father and uncles retired from City Lumber and Hardware Company Jim bought the business and operated it until his retirement.

Jim loved gardening and when he had a good crop he shared extra veggies by placing them in a lawn chair next to the street with help yourself free sign. Sometimes when he was working in the yard someone would stop and ask when he would put the lawn chair out again. Those were such simple, fun times. RV traveling also was great fun and we visited every state except Hawaii. Bettye wanted a dog since almost all RV folks had dogs and he said we could always rent a dog for traveling. That wish was complete when a precious little rescue dog found us. Diva Jet is her name and she brought such love to her new family.

In addition to gardening he loved taking care of the yard, building furniture, houses, a boat, even welding a huge mailbox which Bettye called a gothic chicken house. Jim was a quiet, serious, always busy man full of surprises.
Fishing the boundary waters of Canada for several years with his sons Craig and Keith made memories they will have forever, as well as hunting pheasants with the boys and brother Gabe.

Jim is survived by his wife of thirty seven years, Bettye, daughter Sherrye Balmaz, sons Craig and Keith Balmaz, step daughter Robin Craft, one brother Gabe (Sharon) Balmaz, sister Jane (James) Nelson, grandson Reid Balmaz, step grandsons Max and Will Pollock, and one great grandson, Lincoln Balmaz. He was preceded in death by his youngest son Richard Balmaz and his parents Emma and Gabe.

Rosary will begin Sunday, July 1st 2018 at 6:00PM at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway with visitation following until 8:00PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, July 2, 2018 at 10:00AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway with Celebrant Father Tony Robbins.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Joseph School Endowment, Conway City Animal Shelter, or any charity of your choice.

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