Dr. James Post Jr.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21. James Matthew Post, Jr. peacefully departed this earthly life at home surrounded by his loving children on October 8, 2025 at the age of 101.9. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Patsy Ruth Pair Post, who was certainly waiting at the gates of heaven to receive him. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Lynn Post, his parents, James and Agnes Sax Post, his brothers, Thomas, Eugene and Matthew Post, and his sister Katherine Post Graham.

Jim was born on December 27, 1923 in Altus, Arkansas, the fourth born and oldest boy of nine. Altus always held a special place in his heart as he returned there often throughout his life. His parents were farmers who grew grapes, apples and peaches, and owned Post Familie Winery. He grew up during Prohibition; therefore, the family business of wine making was only officially for home and sacramental use. During this era, Jim’s great grandmother, Katarina Comenzand Post, was arrested and sentenced to a year in prison for serving small glasses of Post Familie wine with lunch to coal miners who worked in the area. The mother of fifteen was later quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch commenting that her time in jail was “the best vacation she ever had.” The family’s Catholic faith sustained them through the economic and emotional challenges of the Great Depression.

Jim graduated from Subiaco Academy in 1942. He attended college at St. Louis University for one year before transferring to Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. He graduated as World War II began, enlisted in the Navy and was sent to Yale Medical School in New Haven, CT. Upon completion of his medical degree in 1948, he attended the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City for his Pediatric Residency. While there he met an adorable nursing student, Patsy Ruth, on a blind date with a fellow resident. Although Jim and Pat were not each other’s date, they quickly remedied that situation and were married in Altus on July 30, 1949. Upon completion of his military obligation in 1952 during the Korean War, he and Pat moved to Fort Smith where they established his pediatric practice. While happily ensconced in their new home town, they went through the trials and tribulations of raising eight children.

Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in 1953 and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1957, Dr. Post took on several partners over the years in his burgeoning practice. He became a Fort Smith baby doctor legend as he took care of many youngsters during his 45 years of practice. He was on the professional staff at St. Edward’s Mercy Hospital, Sparks Regional Medical Center, and Crawford County Hospital.

In 1963, Jim directed the mass Salk Vaccination Program, the oral vaccine that protected against polio, for Sebastian, Crawford and Franklin Counties in western Arkansas. He served as President of the Sebastian County Medical Society in 1969 and was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Arkansas Medical Society. He also served as a clinical instructor at the UAMS AHEC Program from 1975 to 1990.

Dr. Post’s busy pediatric practice and fatherhood duties left little time for leisure, but when it did, he enjoyed deer hunting with his brothers in the woods of central Arkansas. He was also an avid gardener who cultivated vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and flowers in the large backyard of his Fort Smith home. He was an early proponent of the idea of healthy eating and supplied his family with abundant varieties of seasonal produce. As a grandparent, he delighted in taking the little ones into the garden for an educational tour of all the wonders that he had created.

Jim was a faithful person who faced every day of his life with a servant’s heart. His deeply rooted Catholic Faith was the cornerstone of his life which sustained him through every hardship and obstacle that confronted him. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Boniface Catholic Church and was enormously proud of the “oldest parishioner” designation that he held for many years.

He was also very proud to be part of the Guinness Book of World Records. In July 2022, Jim, along with six of his siblings were honored for their longevity. Seven of the children of Jake and Agnes Post of Altus had a combined age of 682 years and 36 days: Katherine Graham (102); Louise Ritter (101); Theresa Shaw (100); Dr. James Post (99); Matthew Post (97); Toni Plugge (93); and Stella Conatser (90).

Jim is survived by his sisters Louise Post Ritter, Theresa Post Shaw, Antonia Post Plugge and Estella Post Conatser.

Jim is also survived by his children—James (Jeannene) Post III of Fort Smith, Greg (Kelly) Post of Houston, TX, Carol (David) Harper of Fort Smith, Chris (Terry) Post of Mineral Wells, TX, Sharon (Ronnie) Fair of Heber Springs, AR, Annette (Joe) Horner of Germantown, TN and Lori Post of Fort Smith.

He is also survived by his eighteen grandchildren—Vanessa Post Rossi, Lara Post Rizzo, James Post, David Harper, Tonya Post Liere, Scott Harper, Christopher Post, Natalie Harper Lomont, Erica Post Rogers, Haven Harper Grossmann, Nicholas Fair, Gregory Post, Jacob Fair, Lucas Fair, Nicole Harper Beauchamp, Denise Horner, Clayton Harper and Joseph Horner.

He is also survived by his twenty-six great grandchildren—Julia Rizzo, Sabrina Rizzo, Jack Rossi, Michael Rizzo, Caroline Rossi, Madison Liere, Malcolm Harper, Riley Harper, Scarlett Harper, Trace Post, Camille Harper, Henry Harper, Emery Liere, Garrett Post, Mick Lomont, Clifton Harper, Noah Lomont, Fletcher Rogers, Leighton Rogers, Hudson Fair, Emily Fair, Matthew Fair, Calvin Grossmann, Caroline Lomont, Jacob Fair Jr., and Sonny Beauchamp. And another Baby Fair due in March 2026.

The family would like to express their love and sincere gratitude to Jim’s special caregivers—Beatrice, Maria, Judith, Veronica, Daphane, and Yolanda. Memorials may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church, 204 N. 18th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the Rosary beginning at 6:30 PM, at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM, St. Boniface Catholic Church in Fort Smith on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.edwardsfuneralhom.com