Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

James Austin Capps Sr.

Colonel James Austin Capps Sr. (Ret. USAR), 93, of Gurdon , went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Col. Capps was born in Dobyville, on Nov. 22, 1913, as the eldest child of Della Mae Wingfield Capps and James Roy Capps.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Layton; and his devoted loving wife of 67 years, Mary Lou Wells Capps.

He is survived by his two sons Col. James A. Capps Jr. (Ret. USAF, MD) and wife Judy, and William Roy Capps, D.D.S. and wife Betty of Hot Springs and Gurdon; two sisters, Louise Mann of Houston, Texas, and Alyene Fowler of Ft. Scott, Kan.

Affectionately known as Big Daddy to his family, the memory of his famous Easter boxes full of chocolate candy and Christmas surprises will be carried forever in the hearts of his seven grandchildren, Don Austin Capps of Gravette, Jon Thornton Capps of Centerton, Julia Anne Beldyga of Bella Vista, Mary Frances Capps of Springdale, Leslie Ann Whalen and Charles Michael Capps of Hot Springs, and Jon Mark Capps of Gurdon. The love that Big Daddy invested in his family will be carried on in the lives of his 19 great-grandchildren.

A life-long resident of Clark County and a graduate of Ouachita Baptist College where he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Austin served his Country during World War II in North Africa, Italy and France. Under his command in Marseille, France, Austins 379th Port BN Army unit was awarded the Pacific Victory Cup in recognition by the US Army for Excellency in Performance of Duty in facilitating troop and supply ships. Austin continued his service to his country by enlisting in the US Army Reserves upon his return to Gurdon.

He carried with him his diligence to duty and his service to his fellowman while in the retail and rental business for 70 years in Gurdon. The foundation for Austins high level of commitment to his family, church and community was his love for his Lord Jesus Christ. He lived his faith by always striving to benefit the town of Gurdon both professionally and personally. Exercising his gift of mercy and service, he was always sensitive to recognize the needs of others and respond quickly.

He will be remembered as a fine man with a most generous heart  his blessings from the Lord were always shared with others. Austin was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church of Gurdon, serving as an Elder, Sunday School teacher and choir member while his late wife Mary Lou was organist for over 40 years. Active in every aspect of life in Gurdon, Austin was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Gurdon Rotary where Mary Lou was the first woman member and also recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Austin was a faithful Gideon, former member of Board of Trustees of Baptist Hospital in Arkadelphia and receiver of many awards for his retail success while owner of Austin s Appliance and Furniture in Gurdon.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 18, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Gurdon. Officiating will be Rev. Rick Pyron, lay leader Liz Hardin, and one of Austins beloved second children, Col. Jackie Ryan, Chaplain, US Army. Serving as pallbearers will be Austins grandsons, great-grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Jeremy Whalen and Cory Beldyga. Interment will follow in Rose Hedge Cemetery with military honors. The family will host a Celebration of Life visitation beginning at 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Horne Funeral Home of Gurdon. The online guest book is available at www.hornefuneralhome.net.