James E. Gauntt Jr.

JAMES E. GAUNTT JR., 74, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on April 28, 2017. He was born on July 8, 1942, in Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.E. and Elaine Warner Gauntt. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jan Owen Gauntt; daughter, Wendy Gauntt of St. Louis, Mo.; brothers, Allen (Sara) Gauntt of Paragould and Perry (Lisa Ferris) Gauntt of Little Rock; and sister-in-law, Julie Cathcart of Pantego, Texas. His five nieces and nephews are Scott (Laurie) Gauntt, Tara Gauntt, Barry Gauntt, Becky (Doug) Garner, and James Cathcart. Jim graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1960. He earned a BA from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, an MBA and advanced work at the University of Chicago, and later a PhD from the University of Mississippi. He began his career in Chicago as a computer programmer at Western Electric, and then he moved to Standard Oil of Indiana as an Operations Research Analyst. Next, he earned a CPA and joined Arthur Young where he was a Computer Audit Manager. After his return to Little Rock in 1981, he taught accounting at UALR for 18 years. After retirement he enjoyed traveling, computers, reading, and spending time with family and close friends. He played bridge at the Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club, where he attained the rank of Silver Life Master. His church home was Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, where he served as deacon. He found religious studies deeply engrossing; he also loved to play in the volleyball fellowship with his wife. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 5, at 10 a.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one's choice. An online condolence book is available at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.