James “Jim” Wiley Goodson III, 76, of Hot Springs, passed away on December 16, 2018. Jim was born on January 25, 19472 in Hartsville, South Carolina to the late James Wiley, Jr. and Mildred (Tillie) Goodson. Growing up, Jim always had a passel of chums and stories he would tell of the mischief they got into.
Jim always had a story to tell. He loved to make people smile. If he had lived in Yazoo City, Mississippi, he and Zig Ziglar would have been salesmen and great friends together.
Jim attended Kansas Wesleyan University of Salina, Kansas and was later professor of Meteorology at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Jim owned and operated Pittsburg Flying Service, where he taught many the joy of flying. After receiving a congressional appointment to The Citadel in South Carolina, Jim chose instead to follow his dream and joined the United States Air Force where he served in active duty with the Strategic Air Command, based at Schilling Air Force Base, Kansas.
He was honorably discharged in September of 1964. Jim loved sporting clays and skeet shooting. He enjoyed participating in competitions at both the Arkansas State and the World Shoot competitions, where he garnered many awards.
Jim was a long-time member and served on the board of the Blue Rock Gun Club of Little Rock, Arkansas. Jim loved boats, cars, camping, and spending time with his family. 1989 brought Jim to Little Rock, where he owned and operated a successful retail business until 2001.
The next 17 years found Jim and his family retired in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Jim never met a stranger and he left behind a host of dear friends and loved ones who will greatly miss him. Jim is survived by his best friend and wife of forty years, Donna Countryman Goodson, children, James Wiley Goodson, IV (Carmen) and Jason Forst Goodson (Staci), Edward Lee Rice (Paulette), Christina Kay Zollinger (Shon) and Toni Marie Chance (Shane), eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
If there is one sentence to describe Jim Goodson, it would be; he loved people, loved life, and carried sunshine in his smile. Jim and his wife, Donna, are members of Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Hot Springs. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Piney Grove United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Gallimore officiating.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren, as well as the staff of Arkansas Hospice. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Garland County or Piney Grove United Methodist Church of Hot Springs.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs. Guest registry is at www. davis-smith.com.
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