James H. Adair

James Hubert Adair went home to his Heavenly Father on September 9, 2011.

James was born on November 11, 1919 in Marmaduke, Arkansas to Joe and Belle Adair and he had one brother, John Durell, who preceded him in death. He married his lovely wife, Virginia Kee, on September 23, 1942 in Jonesboro. During their wonderful years together they lived in California, Arizona, North Carolina, Missouri, and finally Arkansas. James served in the US Army Air Corp during WWII. Together they had two sons, Jim and his wife Linda, of Jonesboro, and Ken and his wife June, of Jonesboro and Estes Park, Colorado. He leaves behind a granddaughter, Christal, of Jonesboro; four grandsons, Andy, James and his wife Emily, and Steven of Jonesboro, and John and his wife Meghan of Little Rock; one great-grandson, James Quinn of Jonesboro, and many nieces and nephews.

A lifelong body man and car lover, he worked for American car dealerships in the St. Louis area. In 1972 James partnered with his son Ken to open Adair’s Body Shop in Jonesboro, which is still owned and operated by family. Known as Pop, Grandpa, and Pawpaw, he entertained his grandchildren with rides in his Ford Model A’s and T’s. He was a member and past president of the Arkansas Antique Car Club and dearly loved by his family and friends.

James was a member of Central Baptist Church and loved his Sunday school class. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Brother Mike Martin officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Rock Hill Cemetery with Andy Adair, James Adair, Steven Adair, John Adair, Dustin George, and Vince Pearcy serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of his Central Baptist Church Sunday school class, Dennis Hendley, Lonnie Clark, and the great bunch from the Arkansas Antique Car Club.

Visitation will be from 5-7 Saturday night at The Emerson Chapel To sign an online guest book, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.