James B. "Jim" Argue Jr.

JAMES B. "JIM" ARGUE JR. of Little Rock passed away May 3, 2018, at St. Vincent Infirmary following a brief illness. He was born August 19, 1951, in Carthage, Texas, to the late Dr. James B. Argue and Ann Bourland Argue. The family moved to Little Rock in 1964 when Dr. Argue was named senior pastor at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Jim graduated from Hall High School in 1969 and Hendrix College in 1973, where he earned a degree in history and political science. Following college graduation, Jim began a 45-year calling in finance and investments, including as a Vice President at Commercial National Bank. In 1981, Methodist philanthropists successfully recruited Jim to become the longest serving President of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, where he stayed until his death. Under his leadership, Foundation assets grew from an initial investment of $67,000 to a current value of $164 million, making it one of the largest United Methodist foundations in the country. In early 1980, Jim spotted a beautiful new alto in the PHUMC choir loft. Their love was almost instant, and he and Elise Carey were married on May 30, 1980. They enjoyed a 38-year marriage of shared devotion, raising two daughters, Sarah and Emily, who Jim cherished with great love and enormous pride. He loved his new role as "Granddaddy" to Charlotte and Anderson, delighted in having a namesake in Anderson James, and found great joy in this new season of his life. For Jim, his family shared a unique and common love and a strong sense of belonging; they were his greatest gifts from God. In 1990, frustrated with the legislature's failure to provide adequate resources for public schools, Jim successfully ran for the Arkansas House of Representatives as a proud Democrat. He served a total of 18 years in both the House and the Arkansas Senate, 16 of those serving on the education committee of both bodies. State Senate colleagues elected him as president pro tem during the 85th General Assembly. Recognized as one of the key architects in the state's response to the 2002 Lake View Supreme Court decision, Argue was lauded by colleagues as committed, tenacious, and unwavering in his successful efforts towards major school reforms and improvements. Whether it was education, healthcare, or families facing poverty and food insecurity, Jim could be relied upon to create or support greater opportunities for all children. Jim provided volunteer leadership to many charitable organizations as a board member and was honored and awarded by numerous groups and organizations. When his time in the Arkansas Legislature came to a close, Jim and Elise embarked on a series of world travels. Their journeys were many, but Jim especially enjoyed connecting with distant family, the "Argue Clan" of Ireland. A devoted Methodist, Jim was the former chair of the Administrative Board of PHUMC and a member of the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration. He was also a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan and belonged to a group known as the St. Louis Six, longtime friends who traveled to St. Louis together for big game weekends for over 30 years. Jim is survived by his wife Elise, daughters Sarah Argue and Emily Argue Stotts (Jeff), grandchildren Charlotte and Anderson Stotts, sister Marsha Argue Bozeman, brother Robert Argue, nephew Ryan Bozeman, and sister-in-law Ellen Tarkington. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elizabeth, and nephew Bradley Tarkington. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. A reception will immediately follow at the James B. Argue Christian Life Center, named for Jim's father. Memorials may be made to The Argue Family Memorial Endowment, to benefit the ministries of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas. Donations can be sent to the United Methodist Foundation, 5300 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.