Dr. James J. Pappas

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James (Jim) John Pappas, M.D. was born March 15, 1931, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to John and Anna Pappas. Jim passed from this life on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 93.

Jim, as the son of Greek immigrant parents, John and Anna Kalolmalou Pappoulias (Pappas), was a very proud first generation Greek American. His father attained his American citizenship when he joined the U.S. Army during WWI in May 1918. His mother was a naturalized citizen. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Angelo and K. Dan Pappas.

Jim is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eva. Additional survivors include son John Pappas and his wife Jean; daughter Antigoni; two grandchildren Jim Pappas and Emily Pappas Willems and her husband Travis, and two great grandsons, Emmett and Harrison Willems; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim always described his childhood as wonderful and loved reminiscing about how much fun he had with his extended family that included his aunts, uncles, and first cousins that lived in Hot Springs and with whom he was exceedingly close. He would often say that the eight children of his generation in the Pappas family (Marguerite, Lu, Deno, Anna Jean, Socrates, Angelo, Jim, and Dan) were much more like siblings than cousins. Whether working together at Pappas Bros., the beloved family restaurant, or gathering in the one another’s homes for Sunday dinners, holidays, and special celebrations or just being together, time spent with family was very special to Jim and had a profound influence on the person he became and the values and characteristics that defined him. Jim was also blessed to have numerous Hot Springs friends and classmates that remained lifelong friends. Throughout Jim’s life, he jumped at every opportunity to connect with these friends, including his High School reunions.

Jim was an avid learner starting in his youth and throughout his life. He graduated with high honors from Hot Spring High School and from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He was a lifelong fan of the Razorbacks and always enjoyed calling the hogs and cheering for his alma mater.

In 1952, Jim began his lifelong association with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He graduated from the College of Medicine in 1956. Following this was a one-year Rotating Internship and a one-year General Surgery Residency.

From 1958 to 1960, Jim served his country on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a general Medical Officer. He was stationed on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. Subsequently, Jim undertook a three-year Residency Program in Otolaryngology at Baylor Medical Center in Houston, Texas. In 1963, Jim returned to Little Rock to begin his medical and surgery practice of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat), and eventually he limited his practice to Otology only (medicine and surgery of the ears with associated hearing loss). He began part time volunteer teaching at UAMS, and he attained the rank of Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery. He was the co-founder of the first Temporal Bone Lab. For four years, he served on the Admissions Committee for the College of Medicine. He has been an active member of the Alumni Association, Dean’s Society, Founders Society, Chancellor’s Circle, and the Society of the Double Helix. He has provided an Endowed Scholarship within the UAMS Foundation Fund. In 1999, Jim received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Medicine. He retired from his active medical and surgical practice in 2001. He is a founding member of the clinic which is now known as Arkansas Otolaryngology Center, the largest ENT private practice in Arkansas, known nationally for its leadership in hearing aid dispensing and outpatient surgery in a private practice, as well as cochlear implant surgery.

Jim was an advocate for Baptist Health Foundation, holding many positions, including serving as President and then Board Chairman in 1993-1994. Jim was also a committed lifelong member of Rotary, joining Little Rock Club 99 in 1973. He served as President of this club in 1981.

Jim’s long and full life was characterized by his passion for medicine and surgery and his devotion to his family, friends, and his church. His interests included world travel, photography, reading, spectator sports, and philanthropy. He spent as much time as possible with his family – wife, children, and grandchildren. The birth of his two great-grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy.

Jim’s great interest in philanthropy was related to his belief that one should give back to the community, to his country and to the world when one had been so blessed in his life, and thus, he supported numerous charities and non-profits.

Jim dearly loved his family, extended family and friends and always enjoyed meeting new people. He never met a stranger, and his life was greatly enriched by his relationships and interactions with all those he knew. He had great compassion for others, including people he never met. He had immense respect for the veterans of this country. He will be remembered as a beloved spouse, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, physician, colleague, and friend.

He has been a member of the Greek Orthodox Christian faith all his life. In Little Rock, he was an active and devout member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. He served the church in numerous ways, including past President of the Parish Council. Jim was a man of deep faith and expressed gratitude to God for all his blessings. He felt that [or he frequently shared that] he was blessed beyond measure throughout his life. He enjoyed reading his Bible and devoted time to daily prayer. He recently shared with family that one of his favorite Bible verses is John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” While James John Pappas will be dearly missed, his family finds comfort in knowing that he is now home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The family of Dr. James Pappas would like to extend their deepest gratitude to his private caregivers and the staff at Woodland Heights. They all provided loving care and compassion. This team became extended family and a devoted support system. We are so appreciative of Hospice Home Care. Hospice provided excellent medical management and comfort in the closing phase of Dr. Pappas’ life.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Griffin, Leggett, Healey, and Roth Funeral Home at 5800 West 12th Street in Little Rock with Memorial Prayer at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Little Rock on Thursday, May 23 at 12 noon. The service will broadcast online beginning at 11:50 AM from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Facebook Page. You may access it by clicking or typing this link: https://www.facebook.com/LittleRockAnnunciation/ Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas.

In accordance with his wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations in James Pappas’ memory may be made to: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (1100 Napa Valley Dr., Little Rock, AR 72211); University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences www.giving.uams.edu or the charity of your choice.