Obituaries

James B. Jefferson

Photo of James B. Jefferson
James B. "Jim" Jefferson, 71, passed away Nov. 21, 2015, at his home in Bentonville, following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in Bentonville on Oct. 10, 1944, to Joe and Ellen Sooter Jefferson. Jim graduated from Bentonville High School in May of 1962. One month later, he moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was later assigned to the Anchorage, Alaska, field office. As an FBI Computer Specialist, Jim was involved in developing the first National Crime Information Center database. During the many years Jim spent in the banking and finance industries, he graduated from Southern Methodist University's Graduate School of Banking (1982). He opened Jefferson Nationwide Insurance Agency in Bentonville in 1992. Jim supported and volunteered his time to numerous professional and civic organizations throughout his life, including educational Advisory Boards, Razorback Chapters and Chambers of Commerce. He was a long-time member of the Bentonville Noon Kiwanis, serving as President for two years. He was also on the Helping Hands Board for seven years before serving as President for an additional 6 years. Jim was a volunteer Benton County Deputy Sheriff for many years. He was a member and former Trustee of the Bentonville Church of the Nazarene. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a son, James Steven Jefferson. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Bryan Jefferson of Madison, Wis.; his daughter, Stephanie "Missy" Mayhall of Bentonville; two granddaughters, Nicole Jefferson of Madison, Wis. and Lora Jefferson of Minneapolis, Minn.; a grandson, Hayden Mayhall of Bentonville; and a great-granddaughter, Adalynn Sorenson of Minneapolis, Minn. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at Bentonville Church of the Nazarene. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 at Bentonville Church of the Nazarene with Reverend Mark Snodgrass and Vic Jones officiating. Private interment at Benton County Memorial Park will follow. As a 12-year member of the 188th Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard, based in Ft. Smith, Ark., Jim will be buried with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org or the National Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Online condolences may be made at www.stockdalefuneral.com.

Published November 29, 2015

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