Fred James, age 80 of Harrison, AR passed away Monday, October 8, 2007 at his home.

The son of Jesse and Audrey (Medley) James was born September 10, 1927 at Rush, AR.

Fred was a wonderful husband to Betty for nearly 56 years, a great Dad to his children, and the best Grandpa there was - not only to his own grandchildren and great grandchildren, but also to those he unofficially adopted.

He served with honors in the United States Army for 27 years, retiring as SGM in 1973, with tours in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam.

Working together with a few others the Northwest Chapter of the Arkansas Bluegrass Association (ABA) was formed in 1984, where he served as the first Secretary, continuing in that capacity until he became Secretary/Treasurer until near the time of his death. Known as "Mr. Bluegrass", he was the ramrod of the NWABA Festival held in Harrison for 36 years. Fellow Bluegrass, Dan Roberts says "Fred was the spark plug that made the Festival go."

He was also an active supporter of the Fiddler's Jamboree, held yearly in Harrison.

As a result of his work with the NWABA and its Festival, Fred was instrumental in many of the improvements at the Fairgrounds in Harrison, serving as Honorary Manager of the NW Arkansas District Fair, assisting the Managers with the many necessary duties that made the Fair a success every year.

At the age of 78, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal saviour, saying "It's a crying shame for a man to wait this long." He instructed his family to "tell them about Jesus".

Loved and appreciated by his family and the mulitudes of people he helped through the years, Fred will be missed by all - gone...but always remembered.

His parents preceded him in death; along with an infant brother; his brother, Samuel James; and sisters, Rose Pool, Nadine Goodall, and Azalene Martin.

Survivors are his wife, Betty K. (Sands) James of the home; son, Ralph James and his wife, Danielle of Harrison; daughters, Kathy Scarlett and husband, Steve of Flippin and Kim Huddleston and her husband, Jerry of Fayetteville; brother, Manuel James of Springfield, MO; sisters, Sue Rochlitz and Lila James both of California; grandchildren, Nathan Scarlett and his wife, Teena, Brittany Yount and her husband, Chris, Jared James and his wife, Jamie, Hannah Coffman, Lena Heft and her husband, Daniel, Steven Scarlett and his wife, Misty, and Jennifer Scarlett; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Visitation was Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at Coffman Funeral Home with service Thursday, October 11, 2007 at the Coffman Chapel. Fred Goodall and Johnny Walters officiated. Burial followed in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery at Yellville. Pallbearers were Nathan Scarlett, Jerry James, Daniel Heft, Jared James, Donald James, Lowell Goodall, and Kelly Goodall. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Huddleston, Jr., Chris Yount, Tate Morris, and Dan Roberts and the friends of Bluegrass.

Memorial donations may be made to Northwest Arkansas Bluegrass Association, c/o Larry Martin, 13315 Hwy 396, Omaha, AR 72622.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.