James Dean Askins

On July 23, we lost a true friend, gentle man, and sweet soul as James Dean (“Jim”) Askins passed away after a brief illness. He was born on September 10,1949.

After graduating from McClellan High School in 1967, he attended Southern State University (Now Southern Arkansas University) and earned a BBA in business. He pursued his career working as a litigation examiner for insurance companies in Oklahoma and Texas. He was the very picture of dependability and responsibility.

Jim also served his country in the Arkansas National Guard and was honorably discharged after his term of service.

For 43 years of his life, he was devoted to working with AA guiding untold numbers of people to the path of sobriety and freedom from alcoholism. He considered this his most important contribution in his life.

Jim grew up as a life-long Methodist, in a very close family in Little Rock.

He was predeceased by his parents (Silas and Alice Askins), and his sister (Alice Ann Howell) and is survived but his twin brother Robert Gene (“Bobby”) Askins and sister Myra Fuller (Randy) as well as a host of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

About a year ago he left Dallas (and a close circle of Texas friends - somewhat reluctantly) to be near to his family in central Arkansas. He certainly loved and missed all of his Texas friends but made many new Arkansas friends in Conway.

Jim led a quiet, unassuming, but impactful life.

Please make any contributions in his memory to:

Geyer Springs United Methodist Church Food Pantry

5500 Geyer Springs Road

Little Rock, AR 72209

There will be a visitation on Monday July 27th at Smith Family Funeral Home Conway at 1pm, followed by a celebration of his life at 2pm.