James Martin Redfern

Dr. James Martin Redfern, an emeritus professor at the University of Arkansas and proud father, grandfather and husband, passed away March 19, 2022, in Fayetteville. Redfern enjoyed learning about the lives of new people he met, celebrating his children's and grandchildren's achievements, drinking coffee, and cheering for the Razorbacks in all sports. He was born in London on March 11, 1940, the son of John and Jessica Redfern, a newspaper foreign correspondent and elementary school teacher. He attended an independent day school for boys, Whitgift School, and was the senior naval cadet at that school before leaving England to attend college in Canada. He found his permanent home in the United States, and in higher education. He never lost his British accent, dry sense of humor or his dark brown hair. Survivors include wife, Carole; son, John Redfern (Brooke); daughters, Tracy Youngdahl (Rich) and Anne Redfern Greenhaw; stepson, George Shelton (Gina) and five grandchildren, Miller and Avery Redfern, Judge Greenhaw, and Katie and Carrick Shelton. He is also survived by brother, Alan Redfern and family, as well as his first wife, Betsy Jane Redfern. Dr. Redfern was a lifelong learner who often spent weekends attending services at multiple churches, to get a deeper appreciation for diverse spiritual beliefs. He was compassionate and kind, volunteering in community meal preparation at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and creating a scholarship for agribusiness students. He'd been a member of Central United Methodist Church since 1968. As an economist, Redfern enjoyed arcane business theory discussions. He was also adventurous. He drove a scooter on the tiny island of Anegada during one of his bareboat sailing trips in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, rafted through the Grand Canyon, explored Italy and St. Barts, rode (and crashed) bicycles at Pawley's Island, South Carolina, and went deep sea fishing and ziplining in Costa Rica. He appreciated military history, road trips to see family in Colorado and fruitcake at Christmas. He loved being outdoors as a kid and an adult. As a child he spent holidays at a farm in Kent where he and his brother would explore the countryside, row boats and help on the farm, the inspiration for his later studies. He attended McGill University in Canada, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University, receiving his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in agricultural economics. His first and last academic job was at the University of Arkansas. He was hired as an assistant professor in 1968 and promoted to associate professor, then professor before retiring as emeritus professor in 2007. He received many outstanding teacher and mentor awards. He served on the Arkansas Economic Advisory Council, was longtime advisor to the Agricultural Business Club, contributed research to multiple publications, and launched a successful internship program. His research focused on resource economics, rural economic development and the economics of food safety. He met his wife, Carole, known as Cookie, when she joined Bumpers College as a recruiter. She was impressed by his empathy for students and work ethic, including memorizing every student's name in a class of 100 plus. He advised thousands of students, many of which, as graduates, would stop him on the street to voice their appreciation. His retirement years were busy with Cookie, traveling with family and friends, supporting his grandchildren in their pursuits, as well as visiting with friend groups at Einstein Bagel, Village Inn, Panera, and other places. His life will be celebrated on Friday, April 15, at 2 p.m., at Butterfield Trail Village, followed by a reception. Participants must be vaccinated, a requirement of the venue. Enter the village off Old Missouri Road, and a shuttle will run from the back parking lot. Memorials may be made to the Martin and Carole Redfern Scholarship in Agribusiness, UofA Bumpers College, 217 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. Online tributes: www.bernafuneralhomes.com.