James Earl Hargrove

Born July 24, 1932, in Charleston, Arkansas, to Dolphus Earl and Mary Catherine Bumpers Hargrove, James was a standout athlete for the Bixby High School Spartans in Oklahoma, a decorated combat veteran of the Korean War, a mechanic for American Airlines and the owner/operator of Midas franchises in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Fort Smith.

His schoolmates in Bixby (he moved there from Cecil, Arkansas, at age 11) dubbed him “Arky,” a nickname that stuck with him for years.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant first class and earning the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.

In 1956, he was “fixed up” on a blind date with the woman who proved to be his soulmate (the former Betty Lois Burkhart). The couple had four children and were married nearly 65 years.

As a young adult, Jim gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ and faithfully worked as unto the Lord in most every church he attended for the remainder of his life … from driving a church bus for children to serving as a deacon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister Violet Grace Hargrove; infant brothers Paul Edward Hargrove and Wayne Noel Hargrove; a sister, Wanda Rea Morton; a brother, Lee Kenneth Hargrove, Sr.; and infant grandson Christopher James Hargrove and grandson Matthew Russell.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; a son, Tim Hargrove (and wife, Becky) of Cave Springs, Arkansas; and three daughters – Sherry Luann Hargrove of Lowell, Arkansas, Melinda Clark (and husband, Stan) of Fort Smith, and Dana Russell (and husband, Greg) of Fort Smith; six grandchildren – Calley Lanier (and husband, Shawn) of Cave Springs, Lindsey Clark of Franklin, Tennessee, Jenna Morehart (and husband, Tyler) of Fort Smith, Maegan Clark of Charlottesville, Virginia, Tyler Clark (and wife, Cassie) of Windsor, Connecticut, and Katelyn Slaughter (and husband, Lucas) of Overland Park, Kansas; and eight great-grandchildren – Stephen and Alivia Lanier of Cave Springs, Charis and Selah Roberts of Cave Springs, Andrew, Luke David and Molly Kate Morehart of Fort Smith and Lucie Joy Clark of Windsor, Connecticut; one soon-to-be great-grandson, Caleb Hudson Morehart; three sisters, Dorothy Compton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Addie Spivey of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Betty Sue Cook of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Tim Hargrove, Stan Clark, Greg Russell, Shawn Lanier, Tyler Morehart, Tyler Clark and Lucas Slaughter. Grandson Matthew Russell is an honorary pallbearer.

A private memorial service for immediate family will be held at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. Graveside military honors and interment will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (www.imb.org/give-now/).