of Mountain View, AR

August 8, 1937 - December 27, 2010

Robert Leroy James, 73, of Mtn. View entered into rest on December 27, 2010.

Robert was born August 8, 1937 in Lonoke County, Arkansas to Harvey and Mary (Lunnum) James.

He was a loving husband, father, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. He was a member of the Mtn. View General Baptist Church and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a musician and a retired gradesetter.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; step-son, Nate Lopez of Santa Rosa, CA ; son, Darrell James and wife Regina of Scotia, CA; five granchildren, one great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Since moving to Mtn. View seven years ago, he has performed as a musician at the Gospel Opry, at the Ozark Folk Center, at the Mtn. View Folklore Society, at several area churches, in front of the courthouse, informally on the square and in the park and on many special occasions.

Before moving back to Arkansas, he played regularly at many bluegrass festival and gatherings and at old-time fiddle contests as an accompanist.

He was an excellent singer with a remarkable memory for songs and a great love for sharing his music. He has written many songs.

He played guitar, mandolin, harmonica on stage, and also dobro, fiddle, piano, electric bass, mountain dulcimer and steel guitar.

He was a longtime member of the California Blue grass Association, the California State Old Time Fiddlers Association and the Arkansas Bluegrass Association.

He was an avid sportsman. He was certified as a hunting guide for black bear in California.

He worked as an operating engineer for many years on large construction projects, mostly as a gradesetter. He also worked as a surveyor. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local #3. He served in the US Army and the National Guard in Arkansas and California.

Visitation is 6 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Mtn. View General Baptist Church, Mtn. View.

Funeral service is 10 a.m., Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Mtn. View General Baptist Church, Mtn. View with Doc. Kerry Smith and Deacon Tom Ivy officiating with interment in Mtn. View Historic Cemetery in Mtn. View.

Pallbearers are Lonnie Clark, Dean Corter, Bob Broyles, Roger Ivy, Randall Norris and Malcolm Sumrall. Honorary pallbearers are Elmer Carson, Bob Everette, Jim Williams and Carl Freeman.

The family requests memorials to: Music Roots Program, c/o Pam Setser, Committee of 100, P.O. Box 64, Mountain View, AR 72560. Checks should be made to Committee of 100 and on memo line indicate Music Roots Program.

Roller Coffman Funeral Home, Mtn. View is in charge of the arrangements.

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