James Edward Scroggs

James Edward Scroggs, 87, died on Nov. 17, 2013, at home in the house Jim built. He was born at home in Little Rock in April 1926. Jim, as the youngest child, was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Effie Scroggs; siblings, Ernest and Jack Benton Scroggs; his beloved sister, Thelma Scroggs Guild; and his first wife, June Pickard Scroggs; and their daughter, Marilyn Scroggs Carson. Jim is survived by his second wife, E. Jane Scroggs; and his sons, James Aubrey Scroggs and wife, Betsey, Silver Springs, Md., Jeffrey Scott Scroggs and wife, Maggie, Raleigh, N.C.; and stepson, Charles R. Ashley and wife, Naoko, of Japan; and stepdaughter, Ann and husband, Richard W. Penhallegon, Fayetteville; grandchildren, Frank Kris Carson, Australia, James Ian and Elizabeth Scroggs, Maryland, Justin Ashley and wife, Kim, Moses Lake, Wash., Summer Ashley, Portland, Ore.; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Everett Ashley, Moses Lake, Wash., and Fiona Carson, Sidney, Australia. Jim also leaves many cherished nieces and nephews. During the Great Depression, Jim's family lived around and in Jacksonville, Ark. He attended Jacksonville schools and graduated Little Rock Central High School in 1943. During WWII, Jim was trained as a radioman and radio repairman. While as an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas, he worked as a radio engineer for a local radio station. Jim graduated the U of A with a degree in mathematics in 1949. He attended graduate school at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., and the University of Houston, and received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Rice University in 1957. Jim Scroggs worked for Humble Oil and Refining Company as a geophysicist and as an applied science representative for IBM. Jim chose to dedicate his professional career to the University of Arkansas as professor and chairman of the Mathematical Science Department. He established the first computing center on the campus and was a charter member of the Arkansas Academy of Computing. He was a 50-year member of the Mathematical Association of America. Jim was chair of the Campus Faculty and the Campus Council. Jim also taught mathematics in India; as a Fulbright professor at Cuttington University College in Liberia and as a member of Partners of the Americas in Bolivia. Finally, he was a member of the U of A Retirement Association. Jim Scroggs, a lifelong Presbyterian, was an elder at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. He was a lifetime Rotarian and was delighted by the local students who were part of the Rotary Youth Exchange. He was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 77. Trips down the Buffalo River with the math department or Ozark Society were highlights for him. Jim served on the board of Butterfield Trail Village for many years and many other organizations. A memorial service for Jim Scroggs will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2013, at First United Presbyterian Church, 695 Calvin St., Fayetteville, Ark. Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory handled the cremation arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial service contributions may be made online or by check to the Scroggs fund at: Jim Scroggs Memorial Scholarship, University of Arkansas, 300 UNHS, U of A, Fayetteville, AR 72701; First United Presbyterian Church, Memorial Fund, 695 Calvin St., Fayetteville, AR 72703; or Ozark Society Foundation, 615 Rockcliff Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701.