James A Bibler

James A. Bibler, born on August 6, 1934, in Scottsville, Arkansas, the youngest child of Odus and Ressa Jones Bibler, who became an innovator in the lumber industry in North America, and an inspiration to all who knew him best, departed this life on Friday, January 15, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Martha Roper Bibler, a son, James Blake Bibler and his daughter, Mary Dawn Bibler; his brother, David Bibler and nephew, David Michael Bibler, brother-in-law, Mark Allen, and father-in-law, Hale Allen. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Allen Bibler. They were married June 8, 1984, and he described her as the one who enriched his life, believing in him and inspiring him to reach higher. She has been his rock through the strongest storms. Their life together was a true love story. In addition to Laurie, James is survived by his sister, Imodell Bibler George, his mother-in-law, Bernice Allen, sisters-in-law, and their husbands: Sheila and Robert Faulkner of Dallas, Texas, Debra and Kim Phillips of Russellville and Marilyn Kay and Harry Rosenblum of Little Rock; nieces and nephews, Rickey George(Terri), Chrissy Allen Welch (Eric), Teri George Tolar (Terry), Beng Bibler, Cheri Allen, Matthew Allen (Natasha), Nathan Allen, April Phillips Gama (Joe), Ryan Phillips, Erich Phillips (Dana), and great niece Raylee Gama and many relatives and countless friends, as well as very special people he loved and considered his family, Terry and Sasha Freeman, Stanley and Maysel Teeter, Pam and Robbie Underwood, Burl and Flora Hogins, and Steve and Denise Forte. James was the 3rd generation Bibler to work in and build the family business, Bibler Bros. Lumber Company. After a devastating mill fire in 1969 that was a total loss, James rebuilt it into one of the most state-of-the-art operations in the United States. He was a leader in the industry, respected throughout the world for his knowledge, hard work, honesty, and fairness. He was always so proud of his Bibler family heritage and never failed to be thankful for those before him who worked so hard to begin the business in 1908: his grandparents David Albert and Alida Bibler, his mother and father, Odus and Ressa Bibler, his uncles, Ewing and Glenn Bibler and aunt, Gladys Bibler Dean. The loyalty, love and respect he garnered from the countless people he employed is without limit. James was a pillar of the community and held many positions over the years within the city and state, as well as on a national level, serving as Jaycees President, Chamber of Commerce President, Airport Commission, Arkansas Forestry Association, Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, National Forest Products Association. In 1991, he was named Man of the Year by Timber Processing Magazine and was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. in 2011, Arkansas Tech University bestowed its highest honor upon James when he was inducted into the University Hall of Distinction. James and Laurie traveled the world together on many adventures. He was an avid outdoorsman and big game hunter, affectionately nicknamed the Great White Hunter because of his love of hunting. The rarer the hunt and the more exotic the animal the better he liked it. He shared his passion for hunting and his large trophy collection willingly. In his own words, he described his life this way, "It has been a wonderful and joyous journey." He was loved by many and his larger than life presence will be missed. James' compassionate heart always cared for the living, the dying, and the hungry. Therefore, the family request that memorials be given to Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Fund, 1509 N. Boulder Ave, Room 206, Russellville, Ark., 72801, web link, www.atualumni.com or to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellville, Ark., 72801, web link www.arkansashospice.org, or to the First United Methodist Church Manna House, 302 South Commerce, Russellville, Ark., 72801, web link, www.russellvillefirst.org. A private memorial was held at the Bibler home on Monday, January 18, 2021, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service and with private burial at Rest Haven Memorial Park. Several close friends spoke of their fondest memories of Mr. Bibler. James' pastor, Rev. Tony Griffin, brought an eloquent tribute and words of grace and Jim Bob Humphrey serviced as emcee. The memorial service concluded with a circling pattern flyover of five private airplanes, including James' Beechcraft King Air-250, and immediately after the flyover and to the amazement of the entire gathering, an estimated one thousand geese flew precisely over the home in perfect formation as the King Air faded west toward the sunset. Pallbearers were Luke Duffield, Gordon Higgs, Dr. Jim Kelly, Bill Meyers, Jeff Terry, and Rick Thone. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Stanley Teeter, Kevin Freeman, Boyd Osborne, Johnny Cunningham, Dr. Kevin Beavers, Aaron Janus, Ricky Mackey, Robert Faulkner, Kim Phillips, Harry Rosenblum, James' nieces and nephews, and the former and current employees of Bibler Brothers Lumber Company.