James James W. Cardin W. Cardin

James W. Cardin, age 79, went to heaven on January 17, 2012, at his home in El Dorado. He was born on September 7, 1932, to D.J. and Exie Brumley Cardin at Many, LA. James grew up in the Mt. Zion community and graduated from Many High school where he played football and worked in his family’s dairy. He was a member of Louisiana National Guard.

After graduation he went to Midland, TX. He worked in the oil field and at Phillips Petroleum Company. He joined Calvary Baptist Church where he met his future wife, the former Frances Bond. They came to El Dorado in 1957, and he worked for Michigan Chemical Corp, (now Great Lakes Chemical). In 1970 he went to work for Rock Island Railroad and there became trainmaster.

After Rock Island Railroad closed, he and Fran relocated to Jackson, MS where he was employed by Illinois Central and Gulf Railroad. He later retired in 1994 from Kansas City Southern Railroad.

He and Fran came back to El Dorado to be close to their sons. He loved hunting and fishing and was a member of the Bolding Deer Club. His favorite pastime was watching Braves baseball, LSU football, New Orleans Saints, and being in his wood-working shop. On his return to El Dorado he became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where he delighted in doing small projects and repairs for the church. He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner.

He and Fran were married for 58 years. He loved his family and little Dachshund Honey.

Those who will miss him are his wife, Fran Cardin; four sons and daughters- in- law, Larry and Rexine (George) Cardin, Les and Rhonda (Rainwater) Cardin, Danny and Joan (Peterson-Belue) Cardin of Homer, LA, and David and Patty (Hargraves) Cardin; his precious grandchildren, Nicholas Cardin, wife Alison, Lauren Ely, husband Grant, Miranda Hill, husband Seth, Hannah Smith, husband Eric, and Kaitlyn Cardin; great grandchildren, Kate and Conner Ely, Beau-Riley and Harley Cardin, Ava Smith, and Chloe Hill; three step-grandchildren, Courtney Byers, husband Jeremy, Charles Belue, Colton Belue; and special friend who called him daddy, Terry Lewis, husband Mark; two sisters, Doris Cardin of Hobbs, NM, and Helen Cardin Barnes, husband Ford of Fort Smith; sisters-in-law, Betty Rowan, husband Hayes of Madill, OK; and Carolyn Mayes, husband Tommy, of Baird, TX; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Those waiting for him in heaven are his parents; and his mother and father- in- law, Truett and Nadine Bond.

Visitation will be at Young’s Funeral Home 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 19, at 10:00 a.m. at Young’s Chapel. Burial will follow at Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Memorials may be made to Life Touch Hospice, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730, or Immanuel Baptist Church, Building Fund or Betty Tolleson Library Fund, 701 S. West Ave., El Dorado, AR 71730.