Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

RUSSELLVIL­LE — James A. Bibler,

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born on Aug. 6, 1934, in Scottsvill­e, Ark., 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, Jan. 15, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Martha Roper Bibler; son James Blake Bibler; daughter Mary Dawn Bibler; brother David Bibler; nephew David Michael Bibler; brother-in-law Mark Allen; and father-in-law Hale Allen.

He is survived by 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 sister Imodell Bibler George; 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 and Erich Phillips (Dana); great niece Raylee Gama; 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 third 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 memorials be given to Arkansas Tech University Scholarshi­p Fund, 1509 N. Boulder Ave, Room 206, Russellvil­le, Ark., 72801, www.atualumni.com , or to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Lane, Russellvil­le, Ark., 72801, www.arkansasho­spice.org , or to the First United Methodist Church Manna House, 302 S. Commerce, Russellvil­le, Ark., 72801, www.russellvil­lefirst.org .

A private memorial was held at the Bibler home Monday, Jan. 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.

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