Herbert "Herb" Cecil James

Herbert "Herb" Cecil James, 77, founder of James Tree Service in North Little Rock, Ark. and resident of Life Care Center of Columbia for the last 5 years, journeyed to his Heavenly home on Jan. 30, 2015. Among those who knew him, there was never any doubt that he loved his Savior and served Him faithfully. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Griffen & Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home of North Little Rock, Ark. Entombment will follow in Rest Hills Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12 until the service time at the funeral home in Arkansas. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Herbert was born to Charles Ray and Florence Osmon James in Bald Knob, Ark. on January 17, 1938. At the age of 18, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning to civilian life, he was hired by West Tree Service where A.D. West became his employer, friend, and mentor. He learned the art of tree removal and started his own tree service in 1965 with just a pickup truck and a double bit axe. Later in his life, he moved to Tenn. For the last five years he resided at Life Care Center of Columbia where he was lovingly known as "Blue Eyes." The nursing staff will never know how much their tender, loving care meant to him and his family. Herbert was a kind, generous man who would do anything to help someone in need. He loved people, and he loved the outdoors. Anyone who knew Herb knew that he was most at home in a tree or on the Buffalo River. Herbert was a member of Crystal Hill Assembly of God and enjoyed bringing people to church with him. A wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend; he was a living example to all. He will be missed dearly by his wife, Barbara Bennett James; daughter, Teresa Points and son-in-law, Rick; son, Terry James and daughter-in-law, Gina; granddaughter, Hannah Points; grandson, Justin James and granddaughter-in-law, Nikki; and grandson Jordon James. He is also survived by a loving sister, Evelyn Wood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Curtis James and sisters: Pauline Bowman, Mary Hume, Audrey Wilcox, and Linda Smith. You may share condolences with the family at the Heritage Funeral Home website: www.TnFunerals.com.