James "Jim" Edward Dwyer

James "Jim" Edward Dwyer, 75, of Maumelle, passed away January 14, 2018. He was born July 25, 1942 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Bamie and Ruth (Ray) Dwyer. He grew up in Hot Springs, and then moved to Kirby, Arkansas where he graduated from Kirby High School. He earned a BA Degree from Henderson State College at Arkadelphia. During his years of college and early career working in the tire industry, he also raced boats to earn money to help put him through college. Jim received a swimming scholarship from Kirby High School in order to attend Henderson State and worked at the B.F. Goodrich Dealer Store in Arkadelphia to help offset his college expenses. After college, he worked in the tire industry for many years, including Firestone Rubber Company, Mohawk Rubber Company, Dunlop Tire Company and Goodyear Tire Company. He traveled many states during his time with the tire companies, eventually earning the position of District Manager and specializing in writing the tire specs for the company on the large over the road truck tires. Jim earned numerous awards for his services to both wholesale and retail tire stores. He was known for his knowledge of not only the tire industry but the automotive industry as well. Jim opened his first tire store on Asher Avenue in Little Rock in the mid-1970s and over the next few years, opened three additional locations in Little Rock and one additional location in Pine Bluff. The last store to open was The Tire Shoppe at 5501 South University Avenue and it became his home base, eventually closing the other stores to concentrate on this store. Jim dedicated his remaining business career to the University Store which sold in 2010. Jim married Wanda Yeargan while in college and they had two children, James Craig Dwyer and Jamie Dwyer Pipkins. Jim and Wanda divorced in 1977 and on January 1, 1982, he married Mary Coffee, who has two sons, Steven Brent Coffee and Bradley Scott Coffee. Mary and Jim lived in Mabelvale until 1998 when they bought their current home in Maumelle. Jim leaves his best friend of 40 years and wife, Mary Dwyer; his son, James Craig Dwyer; daughter, Jamie Dwyer Pipkins; sons, Steven Brent Coffee and Bradley Scott Coffee; several grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services are Thursday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m., preceded by visitation beginning at 12:30, at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), (501) 224-2200. Entombment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Jim's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.