James Robert Rhodes, III April 9, 1940 - February 17, 2020

James Rhodes, of DeValls Bluff, died on from Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was born to the family of James Robert (JR), Jr. and Regina Rhodes, of DeValls Bluff, and was educated in the DeValls Bluff Schools, graduating in 1958. He attended the University of Arkansas, receiving an accounting degree in 1962. He then entered law school, graduating in 1965.

While at the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity, and also was a member of Schola Cantorum, a choir of 40 people, 36 of them music majors, for four years. In 1962, the choir was invited to compete in the world’s Polifonic Acapella Choir competition held every 10 years, in Arrezzo, Italy, and were the only choir invited from the United States. They won and returned to the US and sang for President John F. Kennedy at the White House and sang on television’s “Today Show”.

James was in the Army Reserves for 6 years, being a JAG Captain when he resigned. He then practiced law in Little Rock for 37 years with different law firms including Moses, McClellan, Arnold, Owens, and McDermott and my own firm of Ward, Rhodes, Hickey and Garrett from 1976 to 1986. He was assistant U.S. Attorney from 1968 to 1972 and retired in 2002, after serving “of counsel” with Dover and Dixon Law Firm for 16 years and one year with Darren O’Quinn. Licensed to practice in all Federal and State Courts, he was appointed to serve as Special Justice on Supreme Court of Arkansas by Governor David Pryor. He was President of Arkansas Trial Lawyers for one year and was in Pulaski County Bar Association’s “Grid Iron” show from 1966 to 1992, a musical satire, playing many roles including Ed Wright, Judge Bill Kirby, Gary Hart, Fannie Fox, and Jackie Kennedy. After returning to Prairie County in 2002, he served as District Court Judge for Southern District of Prairie County from 2005 to 2017 with the help of Annette Felts, his chief clerk and special friend.

James’ hobbies included hunting, fishing, and traveling. He traveled with his wife to all seven continents. They hunted and fished on four continents, including safaris to Africa, fishing the jungles of the Amazon, the Arctic, and many other places. He met many interesting people, saw many beautiful places, and enjoyed the company of good friends, but nothing was better than hunting ducks in Cache River Bottoms with his friend, Hank Browne and the White River Bottoms with another friend, Clifton Robinson, now deceased.

Predeceased by his parents, and brother, Paul Jacob Rhodes, he is survived by his wife, Lonna; his son, James Robert Rhodes, IV, of North Little Rock; his daughter, Jennifer Jane Rhodes (Gus) Costantino, of San Francisco, CA; grandson, James Robert Rhodes, V, of Little Rock; and many cousins and nieces.

“I had a real good time.”

. Celebration of Life Service to be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2020, at the Hazen Community Center, 906 East Front Street, Hazen. Arrangements are provided by Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.