James "Jim" W. Carman Jr.

JAMES "JIM" W. CARMAN JR., 85, of Little Rock, a very special person with a kind and gentle spirit, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014, due to complex health problems. He was the first son of Dimple and James Wendell Carman Sr. His passion was to help the lost person who did not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Jim's perseverance, dependability, integrity, and Christian walk were his admired characteristics throughout life. Jim is survived by his cherished wife of 62 years, Charlene Bridges Carman. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Carman (Deborah); three nieces, Jan Barker (Scott), Carra Sawyer (Rick), and Donna Turner (Thax); two nephews, Jay Carman (Abby) and Wen Carman. Additional survivors are seven great-nieces and great-nephews; and his sisters-in-law, Carolyn Carman and Carolyn Gill (John). He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Bobby Carman. Born in McGehee, Ark., Jim was raised in Wynne. He attended Wynne schools, graduating with his treasured 1947 Wynne High School classmates. He received a B.S. Degree in Physics and Chemistry with a Minor in Mathematics and Architectural Drafting in 1952 from Arkansas State Teachers' College (UCA) in Conway. He was Phi Lambda Chi's Fraternity Man of the Year. Jim served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Army Ordnance Reserve. Jim had a unique young life. From age one to six, his home with his parents was a remodeled Missouri Pacific Railroad car on the railroad tracks moving from town-to-town in Eastern Arkansas with the bridge gang his father supervised. Jim wrote about it in one of his writings and often cited, "When I was young I used to say – that my ambition was – Next to play – to smoke, to cuss, to jump out of the tool car." Jim said he was one of the few men who realized his ambition by far. Jim's professional career included commercial sales associate for Rector-Phillips-Morse, Little Rock, where he received the Diamond Excellence Award and retired at 84. He was co-owner with his wife of Wonder State Industries, Little Rock, and Wonder State Industries of Texas, Carrolton, Texas. He was also Director of Quality Control and Metallurgical Lab/Heat Treating Departments for Yale & Towne Mfg. Co., Forrest City, Ark.; Chief of Quality Control and Inspection Department of Victor Metals Products Corp., Newport, Ark.; and was a chemist at Lone Star Ordnance Plant, Texarkana, Texas. Jim was president and charter member of the Newport Kiwanis Club. He belonged to the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, and he was a senior member of the American Society of Quality Control and Little Rock Board of Realtors. During his 35 years of commitment to Little Rock's Fellowship Bible Church, he was a Community Group Leader, usher, co-founder of the Visitor First Touch Ministry Team, and he served in numerous other areas as called. He was dedicated to Little Rock's Christian Business Men's Connection USA since 1974, serving as Local and State Chairman for 16 years. Jim's entrepreneurial venture of Carman's Caliente "Some Like It Hot" Salsa was loved and devoured by hundreds of family, friends, and clients during the last decade. Regardless of health issues, he was on his feet and determined to fill orders from hundreds of customers. Jim and Charlene were unable to have children, but they were called Uncle Jim and Aunt Charlene by many young friends. Every day Jim was honored by their love and devotion. This special tribute gave him immense joy. The family extends their deep gratitude to friends; extended family; Drs. Jack Somers, Larry Mendelsohn, and David Hicks; and to the many medical attendees for the outstanding loyalty to Jim and Charlene. They further wish to express their gratefulness to the exceptional staff of Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their love and tender care in making Jim's last months a happy experience. A visitation celebration will be held from 4:30–6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, Phone: 501-224-8300. Burial will be at the Carman family plot, Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne, Ark., at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2014. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christian Business Men's Connection, c/o Doug Lowe, 83 Quercus, Little Rock, Ark. 72223; Friendly Chapel Church Soup Kitchen, 116 S. Pine, North Little Rock, Ark. 72114; Fellowship Bible Church Benevolence Fund, 1401 Kirk Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72223; or to the charity of your choice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.