James 'Jim' F. Northup

James (Jim) F. Northup, 73, of Fayetteville, Ark., died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at Washington Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 10, 1940, in Fort Smith, the son of Harry and Fletta Northup. He was the eldest of four brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jerry Northup. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1958 and went on to attend Russellville Polytechnic College where he was voted Agri-King and graduated in 1960. Jim attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the ROTC, and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. He became farm manager for the Agriculture Department at the University of Arkansas. Later, he became a field agent and teacher for the Benton County Extension Office in Bentonville. He was also manager for the University of Missouri dairy farm in Maryville, Mo. Returning to Fayetteville, he became farm manager for the Verna Lee Dash Goff Farm. He retired from his own successful landscaping business in the Fayetteville area. His passion for nature and anything outside continued as he worked on his own property raising cattle. His goal was to have 50 head. Jim is survived by his wife, Alene Northup of 33 years. They married on May 16, 1981. He is also survived by two brothers, Martin Northup and wife, Lynn, of Atlantic Beach, Fla., and Ernest Northup of Little Rock, Ark.; six children, Rowdy Northup of Tulsa, Okla., John Northup and wife, Rachel, of Fayetteville, Janice Swagerty and husband, Eric, of Washington State, Annette Caldwell and husband, Austin, of Granite City, Ill., Debra Brach and Rachel Wallace of Tulsa, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at Beard's Chapel. The family requests that memorials take the form of donations to the American Diabetes Association, 1732 Moberly Lane, Suite B, Bentonville, AR 72712; or the Washington County 4-H Foundation, 2536 N. McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704. Cremation arrangements by Beard's Chapel. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.