James Thomas "Jim" Pickens

James Thomas "Jim" Pickens - beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend - passed from this earth to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Jim's funeral was held on Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ in Little Rock. He was buried at sunset near his dad, O.C. Pickens, Jr., and his nephew, Steve McDaniel, at the Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Jim was born on February 14, 1937 in his grandmother's home in Strawberry, Lawrence County, Ark., to O.C. and Catherine ("Toots") Pickens. Jim grew up in Nashville, Tenn. and Jonesboro, Ark. Jim graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1955, where he was the co-captain of the Hurricane football team, and won the Sportsmanship Award. Jim's Christian faith - which his parents taught him from a very young age - his compassion, empathy, honesty, character, integrity and servant leadership were the guiding principles of his life. Jim's lifetime goal was simply to love God with all his heart, soul and mind; to love his family and neighbors, and to try to make the world a little better place in which to live. Jim graduated from Arkansas State University in 1959, with a B.S. in Business Administration. From 1955 to 1962, Jim served his country in both the Arkansas National Guard and the U.S. Army. In 1959, he earned his commission as a 2d Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served as the Company Commander of the Second Infantry Brigade at Fort Devens, Mass. Jim and his brigade and participated in the Berlin Airlift. While in the Army, Jim married his college sweetheart, Sue Blackwood. He earned the Army Commendation Medal in 1962, and was honorably discharged from the Army and returned home to Arkansas. In 1962, Jim went to work as a customer service representative for Arkansas Power and Light Company, now Entergy. Through hard work, leadership and service to others, Jim quickly rose through AP & L's ranks, serving in various management positions in Searcy, El Dorado, Newport, Camden Little Rock, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and Monticello, moving his family a total of eleven (11) times, involving himself in community service and making dear friends in every community in which he lived. Jim became District Manager in Pine Bluff in 1977; Division Manager of the Western Division in Hot Springs in 1985; Director of State Governmental and External Affairs in 1988; and Vice President of External Affairs in 2000. Jim retired from Entergy in January 2001. In February 2001, Jim accepted an appointment by then-Governor Mike Huckabee to serve first as Interim Director, then as the Director, of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Jim served at ADED from February 2001-November 2003. During his tenure at ADED, Jim and his team helped create thousands of well-paying jobs for Arkansas families by bringing a number of companies to Arkansas including, among others, the Nestle plant in Jonesboro, and the Hino Motors plant in Marion. Jim served the communities where he lived in various capacities too numerous to list, as president of, among other organizations, the United Way, and the Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, Kiwanis Clubs, and the Chamber of Commerce. Jim served as president of various associations and boards, most importantly to him, the Pathfinders' Foundation, Arkansas State University Board of Trustees, UAMS Institute on Aging, Arkansas State Golf Association and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame; Vice Chairman of P.A.R.K. ("Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids"), the CARTI Foundation Board and Baptist Health "Bolo Bash" Golf Tournament Fundraising Committee. Jim also served on the fundraising committees of organizations such as the Easter Seal Society, March of Dimes, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Arkansas Sheriff's Ranch Program, Arkansas Repertory Theatre and many others. Jim was recognized for his civic and public service by many awards, including the ASU Distinguished Alumnus and ASU College of Business Distinguished Alumni Awards; the Pathfinder Crystal Award, and the naming of the Pathfinder Skills Training Center in his honor; the Pine Bluff Outstanding Civic Leader Award; a four-time winner of the Entergy Chairman Award; the Arkansas General Assembly Citation for public service and leadership; the Arkansas Economic Development Lifetime Leadership Award; the Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America Bronze Award, and the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Jim was preceded in death by his dad, O.C. Pickens, Jr., and nephew, Steve McDaniel. Jim is survived by his 96-year-old mom, Catherine Pickens of Jonesboro; his loving, devoted and patient wife of over 50 years, Sue, and their two (2) children, Mike Pickens of Little Rock, and Sandy Pickens Noble (Keith) of Rogers; his beloved and cherished grandchildren, Mary Catherine and Rob Pickens of Little Rock, and Kinsley Sue Noble of Rogers; his brother, Dick Pickens (Paula), both of Jonesboro; and his sister, Cathy McDaniel (Larry) of Paragould, as well as many other family members and friends from all over the state and country. Jim, Sue, Mike and Sandy wish to thank Dr. Tom Robinson; Drs. Makhoul, Snead and Talbert; Drs. Kent Westbrook and Scott Davis; and especially all of the wonderful nursing staff on the 9th Floor of Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. Their compassion, care, hard work, dedication and sense of humor made Jim's last days as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Memorials may be sent to the Eric Stripling Family Fund, c/o Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock; Pathfinder, Inc., of Jacksonville; the Arkansas Children's Homes in Morrilton; or CityConnections, Inc. of Little Rock. The family especially wishes to thank Chuck Monan and Nick Hamilton, and all of their church family at the Pleasant Valley church of Christ. Chuck and Nick's spirituality, godly care, support and prayers helped bring peace and comfort to both Jim and his family. God bless you all, and all of Jim's many friends around the state and country. We will all miss our dad and friend very much; but we will see Jim again some day.