James Damron
BENTON — James “J.K.” Kenneth Damron, 82, of Benton, Ark., died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Saline Memorial Hospice House.
He was born Dec.14, 1926, in Little Rock, to William “Bill” C. and Addie Marie Mashburn Damron.
He was reared and educated in Sheridan, graduating from Sheridan High School. While there he was on the basketball team and was vice president of the senior class.
He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a cryptographic technician. He enlisted on Oct. 26, 1944, at Camp Chaffee, Fort Smith, Ark., and was discharged on Dec. 12, 1946, at Fort Brag, in N.C., as a sergeant.
He moved to Pine Bluff in 1948, then Little Rock in 1969 and then to Benton in 1987. He had worked 36 years for Western Union, before retiring in 1984 as a manager.
He was a member of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Benton. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his wife and family. They spent several years vacationing at their mobile home at Little Fir on Lake Ouachita. His greatest joy was having all the family around and playing with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Cummings Damron, whom he married on Oct. 13, 1948, in Pine Bluff; a stepson, Jimmy (Helen Davis) Peden of Rison; a daughter, Donna (Jim) Arnold of Benton; five grandchildren, Leah (Rob) Graddy of Benton, Matthew (Susan) Welch of Benton, Kirk (Betsy) Welch of Statesboro, Ga., James William Peden of Sheridan, Michelle Anders of Pine Bluff; eight great-grandchildren, Cassie Hale, Megan Anders, Zachary and Emma Graddy, Sunny, Evan, Brennan and Madeline Welch.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Monday at Robinson’s.
Services will be 10 a.m. today, June 30, 2009, in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Brother Rick Etheridge and Brother Muncy Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Saline Memorial Hospice House, 23157 Interstate 30, Bryant, Ark., 72022-2592; or Arkansas Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, Ark., 72202-3591.
Online register at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com