James Edward Lusk

JAMES EDWARD LUSK, age 84, passed away at his home on May, 28, 2016 after a long battle with lung cancer. James was born in Little Rock, Ark. on March 11, 1932 and was a member of The Cathedral of St. Andrew Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace Kate and James Ray Lusk. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Jo Drew Lusk; his beloved daughter, Debra Lusk Alber, her husband, Mark Alan Alber; his adored granddaughter, Elizabeth Helen Alber, whom he affectionately referred to as His Mess; his brother, Bill Lusk, sister-in-law, Carolyn Drew; and numerous nieces and nephews. James graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School in 1950, where he was a star basketball player when he wasn't playing hooky. James was a natural athlete. As a young man, he played softball, was an avid golfer, and won the state bowling championship the first year he competed. After finishing high school, he enlisted in the Air National Guard and was called to active duty in Sept. 1951 during the Korean War. He served his enlistment time in Spokane, Wash. and Seaside, Ore. as a dental assistant on a mobile unit. It was during this time that he married Mary Jo, his "on again, off again" grade school and high school sweetheart. After returning to Little Rock in March of 1953, James worked in a variety of careers, beginning as a journeyman pressman for the Arkansas Democrat, followed by opening the Jim Dandy drive-in restaurant, now known as The Hop. Later he worked as a pilot for a local insurance company and eventually became a self-employed building contractor. Because he loved flying so much, he purchased and re-built an airplane, which he flew both for work and pleasure. In addition to his two favorite hobbies, golf and flying, James had a sharp mind and could solve any kind of puzzle or fix whatever needed fixing. A talented craftsman, he could make anything out of a piece of wood, and he loved to entertain and cook for family and friends. People still rave about his barbeque sauce and hickory smoked ribs. Every spring he looked forward to planting a vegetable garden full of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. His favorite television shows were westerns, especially Maverick. Although in his younger days, James was a fisherman and enjoyed hunting; as he grew older, he became a friend and protector of animals. He enjoyed feeding birds, chipmunks, and squirrels, and was even known to have captured a mouse that had taken up residence beside his chair, relocating it to a new home in the woods beside the Arkansas River. James never met a stranger and was always the first to volunteer when someone needed help. One time when he was at the airport in Houston, Texas waiting to put his daughter and granddaughter on an airplane, he happened to overhear some young members of a rock band from England who were trying to make their way to Austin for a music competition. Of course, much to their astonishment (and his wife's), James volunteered to drive them to Austin that night, for which they were forever grateful. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Arkansas Hospice for the four months of in-home care they provided, but in particular to his aide and inspirational "buddy", Tanya. Visitation will be at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Jack Vu on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of St. Andrew, 617 Louisiana Street. Internment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Cathedral of St Andrew, The Shriners Hospital for Children, or Arkansas Hospice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.