James Roy Blucker

James Roy Blucker, 70, of Sherwood began his life as a preemie on May 29, 1952 in Olmstead, Arkansas. He spent his childhood days out in the country, running and playing with his siblings and cousins. He married his high school sweetheart, Gail McCool and moved to Runyan Acres to raise their family, be a great daddy to his two girls, Christa and MiChelle and the best “Poppy” to his grandkids Emily, Samantha, and Riley.

James was a skilled craftsman by trade, a cabinet maker for 52 years. Custom kitchen cabinets were his specialty, but he thoroughly enjoyed spending time out in his building creating unique and challenging furniture pieces.

He joined the Runyan Acres Volunteer Fire Department in 1988 and served his community as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, board member and chairman of the board until he could no longer actively participate. He was a member of Kellogg Valley Baptist Church for 20+ years. James enjoyed going to Travelers baseball games, checking out car shows and drag races with the grandkids, road-tripping with the family and flipping channels on the tv.

In 2019, James became a heart and kidney transplant recipient at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He was blessed to be cared for by so many wonderful doctors, nurses, and medical staff in Nashville, as well as at St. Vincent’s Infirmary here at home. He delighted in presenting them with ongoing medical challenges.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Gail, of 51 years, his daughter, MiChelle Moore, his three grandkids, Emily Moore, Samantha Darr, and Riley Darr, his older sister Diane Hamilton, his younger brother David Blucker and wife Virginia, sister-in-law June Owen and husband Joe, sister-in-law Cecy King. James also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, many cousins, dear classmates and friends.

He left this world on December 30, 2022 to reunite with his parents, Major and Marie Blucker, and his oldest daughter, Christa Darr.

Pallbearers will be nephews Eric Hamilton, Brian Spears, Jason DeWitt, Tommy Wilson, Jeff Waters and family friend Alex Moore. Services will be officiated by Bro. Paul Rice.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1912 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501- 758-1170. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the funeral home. Funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:30am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rest Hills Cemetery, in North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to ARORA (organ donation agency), 1300 Wilson Rd, Little Rock, AR 72205.