Mr. James S. Tomlin

By Staff, 09/12/17 8:52 AM

Mr. James Sherman Tomlin, age 89 of Bluff City, Arkansas passed away, Monday September 11, 2017 at his home. James was born on June 6, 1928 in Bodcaw, Arkansas to James Amzie and Bessie Tomlin. James was a former member of the Nevada County Fair Association, a Board member on the Nevada County Board of Education, and a proud veteran of the Korean War.

James began his career with the Arkansas Forestry Commission in 1949. During the next 40 years he continued his work helping the citizens of Southwest Arkansas protect their land from the outbreak of wild fires. Being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, he was always prepared to head out when receiving a call of a fire.  Upon his retirement in 1989, James was shocked when over 400 hundred people showed up for a Roast & Toast in his honor. Shortly after his retirement from the State of Arkansas, he then went to work seasonally for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission planting food plots until this year.

James’s passion though was the natural beauty of the forests, animals, and being able to plant and watch the miracle of seeds growing into crops for food. He was widely known for his watermelons, with people from all over the United States stopping and purchasing them from him. James, of course, never met a stranger, and with his Southern knowledge of the forest and lands, people were fascinated to hear him and his stories. Of course, he inherited being a comical soul from his dear mother and enjoyed the brighter side of life with his jokes and playfulness, and there was never a child that he wouldn’t stop and talk to moving his hat on his head to entertain all. He also, believed in giving back to his community by helping those in need during difficult times. His love for the wild, the land, and people will be greatly missed by all those lives he touched throughout the years.

James was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Kevin Tomlin, a grandson, Nicholaus Tomlin, a brother, Jim Tomlin, and two sisters; Hazel Plyler and Lela Hatfield.

Those left to cherish his memory; his wife of 64 years, Marguerite Hardwick Tomlin, sons: Mike of Bluff City, Terry and Mikael of Bismarck, Robert and Kim of Hope and Jack of Dallas, TX, brothers; Dent and Betty of Bodcaw, Jerry and Judy of Jacksonville, AR.; sister; Bonnie Tomlin Lawler of Bodcaw, and a sister-in-law; jean Tomlin of McCaskill; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a large host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation, 6:00 to 8:00pm Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at BRAZZEL/Cornish Funeral Home 1196 Hwy. 371 Prescott, AR.

Funeral service, 10:00am on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at BRAZZEL/Cornish Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry G. Westmoreland officiating. Burial will follow in Bluff City Cemetery. Arrangements are by BRAZZEL/Cornish The Funeral Home of Prescott, Eddie BRAZZEL, Director. Online guestbook:www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com