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Submitted: 7/19/15 • Approved: 7/22/15 • Last Updated: 7/25/15 • R1088733-G0-S3
June 22, 1927 - April 11, 2004
*Obituary
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
James Clark Irwin, 76, of Springdale went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 11, 2004, at Northwest Medical Center of Washington County in Springdale. He was born June 22, 1927, in Fayetteville, the son of Clyde and Pauline Clark Irwin of Clyde.
James grew up on the family farm in Clyde and at the age of 14, his father died and James became the primary care taker of his mother and the family farm. He attended school at Cane Hill, where he graduated in 1944. He spent one year at the University of Arkansas before leaving to serve two years in the United States Army. He returned to the University of Arkansas in February 1947 and received a bachelor's degree in agriculture education and later received a master's degree in 1951.
He married Wanda Karnes on Dec. 26, 1949, and moved to Prairie Grove and opened the first Vocational Agriculture Program. He Later taught school at Morrow and Lincoln before moving to Springdale in July 1960 to work for Tyson Foods. He retired there in 1982 due to health problems.
As well as teaching and working in the poultry industry, James served 19 years on the Springdale City Council, served on many county, city and church committees including Farmers Housing Board in the 1960s; Springdale City Airport — building terminal there; Washington County Rural Water Program — getting city water to rural people; Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority from 1990-2004; chambers of commerce in both Lincoln and Springdale; Kiwanis clubs in Lincoln and Springdale; Restoration Committee for Cane Hill College; and the Washington County Education Committee.
In 1948, James joined the Prairie Grove Presbyterian Church; Cane Hill Presbyterian Church in 1952; Springdale Presbyterian Church in 1960; and the First United Methodist Church in Springdale in 1980.
James loved his children and grandchildren; he especially loved teasing them.
His greatest interest was his farm family. He loved to tell his grandchildren that they would be the sixth generation to own the family farm that was homesteaded in 1847 by Pless and Mary Carter. The poem that best describes his love for land is "I Am Land."
James also enjoyed finance and investments. He became director of Bank of Fayetteville from 1986-2001 and was noted for financial advice to committees he served. He enjoyed all levels of politics and sincerely believed in anything that could improve city, state or national government and believed in letting it be known... particularly through his coffee shop buddies.
James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wanda Karnes Irwin of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Judy Irwin of Little Rock, Clark and Georgi Irwin of Springdale; one daughter, Paula Irwin of Springdale; six grandchildren, J. Clark Irwin, Jill Penick and her husband Ted, Carrie and Lauren Irwin and Hannah and Hailey Herdlinger.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Springdale.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in Springdale with the Rev. Britt Skarda, the Rev. Charles Ashcraft and the Rev. Jim Harrison officiating. Burial will be in Cane Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jim Cypert, Pat Henry, Bob Johnson, Arnold Williams, Scott Van Laningham, Truly Ponder, Steve Russell and Bob Chanters.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Farnsworth, Glen Skinner, Andy Wickman, Buddy Wray, Bob Baskin, Hiram (Poke) Knight, Howard Colburn, Bill Ruble, Don Harp and Bill Ferguson.
Memorials may be made to Cane Hill Presbyterian Church, 15398 S. Highway 45, Cane Hill, 72717; Clyde Community Church, 15422 S. Highway 45, Cane Hill, 72717; First United Methodist Church, 206 W. Johnson Road, Springdale, 72764; Circle of Life Hospice, 610 E. Emma Ave., Springdale, 72764; or high school scholarships, c/o Wanda Irwin, 2401 Johnson Road, Springdale, 72764.
Arrangements are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove.
Married December 26, 1949
Contributed on 7/19/15 by wfields55
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Record #: 1088733