of Little Rock, AR
August 30, 1943 - January 3, 2025
Ray Royce James, aka The Tomato Man, has picked his last heirloom. Ray spent most of his life working the land in some capacity on his family farm in west Little Rock, where he was born to Royce Chester and Alma Lois James. He grew up helping on his parents' farm and graduated from Mablevale High School in 1961. Ray then served his country in the Air Force before attending the University of Arkansas at Monticello and UALR. He obtained a B.S. in Math and Chemistry but had many interests and pursuits: forestry, real estate, substitute teaching and designing pipe systems at A.O. Smith; however, Ray's true calling was as a nursery grower, business owner and farmer, all of which gave him lifelong joy.
Ray was married to Frances Annette James for nearly 50 years before her death in 2022. Fran died after a long battle with Alzheimer's, during which Ray lovingly cared for her. He was a longtime member at West Heights Baptist Church, Temple Baptist Church and the Church at Rock Creek. Ray was passionate about gardening, helping others to develop their green thumb, serving his church community and spending time with family. He was a lifelong learner, whether it was cultivating new plants and growing techniques or polishing up his Spanish. Ray's greatest contributions were his remarkable sense of humor and positivity, staunch support for the underdog and unyielding family loyalty.
His gardening wisdom and knowledge was unparalleled and will forever be missed.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Royce and Alma; his brothers, Roy and Coy and a nephew, Christopher Griffis. He is survived by his sister, Betty (Lynn) Griffis of Little Rock; his son, Jason (Christina) James of Lowell; his daughters, Amy (Patrick) Lake and Carrie (Set) Sokol of Bentonville and eight grandchildren, Madeline, Garrett, Elliot, Marie, Wyatt, Cora, Calvin and Errol.
Funeral will be 10:00am Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Roller-Drummond Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Halstead Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Roller-Drummond from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.
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10 Condolence(s)
Rebecca Taber
Monday, January 13, 2025
I will miss my friend, but I know we will meet again someday. May God Bless and Comfort his family during this time. Draw comfort in knowing he is at peace and suffering no more. United with His Lord, Jesus, and his beautiful wife.
Heather Rothrock Heltemes
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Jason and Christina, I am so sorry for your loss. i enjoyed getting to know Ray. I am praying for you and your family during this time of loss. May God give you peace and comfort.
Donna Curry
Sunday, January 12, 2025
I live really close to Mr Ray’s Bowman road vegetable stand. I stopped by there really often in spring and early summer to buy plants and vegetables. His honor system was something very special . He has always helpful and shared gardening knowledge. He and his wife were a treasure.
Joseph Allbritton
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Man, where do I begin! A great man, a great family, such a great influence on everyone he met. He gave me a job, he gave me advice and he gave me friendship. Fran and Ray walked the walk. Salt of the earth, a witness for our Creator. On a lighter note, I’ve grown tomatoes since I was 19, I’m 52 now, and I’ll grow them until I can’t! Love the James family! The Allbrittons
Sue Kidd
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Jerry and I went to church with Ray and Fran at Temple Baptist Church for many years. We were good friends, and we appreciated their faithful service through the Food Pantry and other church ministries. We enjoyed speaking Spanish with Ray . He was a fine Christian man who will be missed by many people, ourselves included. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family during this most difficult time. May God bless and strengthen you as you go forward without your dear dad and grandad,
Sue Kidd
Gary Welchman
Friday, January 10, 2025
I always looked forward to an April day when I would visit Ray & buy tomato & lettuce sets. Last year he introduced me to Ozark Pink, the best tomato cultivar by far. The visits were short as Ray always had work to do somewhere on the farm. I admired his work ethic. His lived his faith.
Gina Pharis
Friday, January 10, 2025
My husband and I visited your Dad many times over the years buying tomatoes, lettuce starts and so much more. We used to leaving money in a tin can. We enjoyed seeing your Dad and talking tomatoes was always a highlight of our own gardening journey. Mr. James was so helpful and he loved his greenhouse. We mourned with him when his wife passed. We checked on him when he had heart surgery and I can’t imagine gardening without his tomatoes. We will miss him and his vast varieties. I wish we kept seeds!
James Deere
Thursday, January 9, 2025
When I worked at local hardware store I bought a lot of plants from Ray. I knew him for several years. When he partly retired he kept growing some plants. He will be greatly missed
Mandy Dorsey Wood
Thursday, January 9, 2025
I am so sorry to see of Mr. Ray's passing. I have found memories of your family and growing up in Church. I am sending you prayers for the days ahead.
Phyllis Brents
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
I remember Ray from David O. Dodd Elementary School as well as Mabelvale High School. Memories are fond ones of he and Albert Davis, his good buddy, on the school bus and in class. Ray was smart, funny, and competitive, and my sympathy goes out to his family. He was always one of the good guys.
Phyllis Dickinson Brents