James "Jim" Mahan

James Doyle Mahan, age 81, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Monday, October 9, 2023, due to complications from Alzheimer’s. He was born July 7, 1942, in Little Rock, to his late parents James Doyle and Antonetta Maria (Toni) Belotti Mahan.

Jim grew up in Little Rock, where he attended Our Lady of the Holy Souls School. He graduated from Little Rock Catholic High School on State Street in 1960 and Little Rock University in 1965. After graduation, he started a career in auditing and met Marsha Atwood on a double date; the couple married in 1967.

Jim spent most of his career working for state agencies; he retired from the Arkansas Highway Police in 2001. He also spent a lot of time transporting his three daughters to many school activities, softball and basketball games, and piano lessons (occasionally by motorcycle). As an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, he was always willing to lend a hand with any project.

In his free time, he enjoyed being outside. After he retired, he spent nice days clearing brush and working on projects at his garage in the “country” outside Little Italy. When the weather did not cooperate, he read John Grisham and Louis L’Amour novels and
listened to classic country music. For years he spent Sundays and Monday nights following the NFL, especially if the Cowboys were playing.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Anna Marie Mahan. Survivors include his wife Marsha; daughters Leslie O’Malley (Mike), Kara Aaron (Rod), and Megan Kendall (Kelly); grandchildren Helen, Katie, and Wilson O’Malley, Will and Tyler Aaron, and Anna Grace, Cole, and Makenzie Kendall; his brothers, Joe Mahan (Diane) of Paris, Tenn., and Larry Mahan (Pat) of Springville, Tenn.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

 A Visitation will be held at 6:00 PM with a Rosary following at 7:00 PM, Monday, October 16, 2023, at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Good Counsel Church, Holy Souls Church, and Catholic High School, where he was a lifetime member of the alumni association. His family would also like to thank his hospice caregivers who brought him comfort during the last month.