James F. Ezell

James F. Ezell, 86, of Jonesboro passed from this life Saturday, September 2, 2017 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. He was born to the late Fred Louis and Willie Grace Ezell on November 24, 1930 in Minturn, Arkansas. James lived in northeast
Arkansas since 1967 after coming from Clarendon, Arkansas where he
he was the Captain of the Clarendon Lions and an All-State guard in 1950 his graduation year.
He was a retired veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years rising through the enlisted ranks to Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) before taking a commission and rising Chief Warrant Officer (W4).  James was also one of the first people to spend an entire year in Antarctica in 1958 and during the 1960s spent most of the decade aboard aircraft carriers (USS Hancock, USS Ranger, USS Oriskany) operating from Yankee Station involved in air operations in North and South Vietnam. In Jonesboro he was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and was a loyal Arkansas State Wolves fan.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his three sisters: Freda Ezell Foley, Gertrude Ezell DeOteris, and Arnelia Ezell Birkett.

James is survived by his nieces and nephews: James Carl Graves of Boulder, Colorado, Dan Foley of Batesville, Arkansas, Ruelene Foley and Lila Floyd of Walnut Ridge, Tommy Foley of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Kay Ellis of Pocahontas, Arkansas, Debbie DeOteris of New York, Gertrude Marrales of New York, Mary Grace Birkett and Susie Birkett both of Clarkston, Michigan.

There will be no services.

Online Registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com