James David Garner

James David Garner, 62, of Van Buren, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2015. He was born April 15, 1953 in Fort Smith to James W. and Margie (King) Garner. He was a 1971 graduate of Van Buren High School. He was diagnosed with early onset dementia in September 2008. After a lot of prayers and tears, we had to set him free to be with his sister Cherryl Gaye Garner, who made her journey to heaven 37 years ago. In addition to his sister, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Ola Mae King and James Arthur and Gertrude Garner.

James David took after his dad, a very hard working man that spent all his life working and helping other people. He made a major impact on the youth of Crawford County and surrounding counties helping develop leadership skills and volunteerism in the 4-H Jr. Livestock Auction at the Sebastian and Crawford County Fairs and the AR/OK State Fair for over 25 years. He was known to go to the utility companies during holidays and pay random bills for families with that could not pay their bills, anonymously.

Throughout James David’s 62 years, he accomplished more than he could name . . . besides working side-by-side with his family nearly 7 days a week for 47 years in the family business, Garner Abattoir and Meat Processing Plant, he had Sundance Ranch which he loved. He opened (some with partners Kevin Lipe, Carl Moss, Bill Gaither and Barry Teaque) Green Gate Garden Center and Hardware, David’s Speedwash, two beauty shops, Van Buren Hardware, Sallisaw Hardware, SpeedyMart and Movieland with Northview Center, Taco Rio, First Community Bank, White Oak Travel Plaza, Northview Plaza, Van Buren Land and Cattle Co., Lipe and Garner LLC, GGL Development, Legacy Park and Legacy Valley, where he was able to name streets after his sisters. He was a big supporter of his sister Shana’s Animal Rescue and his baby of all, Big Jakes Cattle Co. Est 1996. James designed it himself and its known all over the U.S. by traveling people. James David was known as Big Jake by people that met him after 1996 and Bubba by his nieces and nephews. His nickname from childhood was Crockett (as in Davy Crockett) . . . as a young man, he went by David but when he started being a businessman he wanted to be called James. When he got sick he started telling people, “Friends call me David”.

After his diagnosis, County Judge John Hall declared April 15, 2012, “James David Garner Day”.

He is survived by his parents, James W. and Margie King Garner; siblings, LeDanna Garner-Kennon and husband Robert, Shanna Garner, Cherryl’s children raised as his siblings, James Darren Garner, and Dava Garner-Jennen and husband Richard; nieces and nephews include Jerry Dan Jones III, Jeremy Nicholas Garner and wife Allison, Brian Kennon, great-nieces and -nephews, Brittany, Victoria, David and Arlie Garner, Halie and Jacob Jennen, JD and Jeremiah Jones, Jaia Youngblood; and his cat, Smoky.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 22, 2015 at North Park Baptist Church with interment to follow at Antioch Cemetery on Oliver Springs Road, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.

Pallbearers will be, James Darren Garner, Robert Kennon, Jeremy Garner, Richard Jennen, Randy Cockrum, Larry Briley, Jerry Dan Jones III, and Brian Kennon. Honorary pallbearers will be JD Jones, Jeremiah Jones, George Canas and Kevin Lipe with Richard Gilstrap and Chris Small officiating.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2015 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren. The family will receive friends at Big Jakes immediately following the committal service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shana’s Last Chance Dog Rescue, 2724 Oliver Springs Road, Van Buren, AR 72956.