James E. Baxley

James E. Baxley, of Benton, was born at home in the Sardis Community of Saline County, Arkansas on December 27, 1929 to Will D. and Emma Caple Baxley and departed this life on July 27, 2014 at the age of 84. He served his country in the U.S. Army over-seas during the Korean War. James retired from Alcoa as a mechanic in 1987 and was a member of the ALCOA Twenty-Five Year Club. He was a strong willed, determined man who proudly survived a tragic accident while working at ALCOA. And while the prognosis was grim, he overcame the obstacles and lived an active, productive life, though never pain free yet without complaint. As a talented and creative man, there was nothing James could not build, fix, repair, weld or piece together. He especially loved buying and restoring old tractors. While always on the lookout for his next tractor project, he seldom bought one that ever ran at the time of purchase. James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 34 years, Doris Sweeten Baxley; and his wife of twelve years, LaQuita Spivey Scott Baxley. He is survived by two brothers, Fulton and Gerald Baxley; son, Troy Baxley and wife Patti; daughter, Gail Baxley all of Benton and one grandson, Eric Baxley and wife Athena. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 30 at Ashby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 31 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Forest Hills Cemetery. If you would like to remember James, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry of Indian Springs Baptist Church, P.O. Box 486, Bryant, Ark. 72089. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.