Biography: James B. ?Jim? Argue, Jr. of Little Rock passed away May 3, 2018, at St. Vincent Infirmary following a brief illness. He was born August 19, 1951 in Carthage, Texas, to the late Dr. James B. Argue and Ann Bourland Argue. The family moved to Little Rock in 1964 when Dr. Argue was named senior pastor at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Jim chose to remain in the state and became a resolute Arkansan. Jim attended Little Rock public schools, graduating from Hall High School in 1969. He attended Hendrix College where he earned a degree in history and political science in 1973. Following college graduation, Jim began a 45-year calling in finance and investments. His career began at the former Commercial National Bank (now Regions) in the executive management training program, where he was named Vice President in 1977. In 1981, Methodist philanthropists successfully recruited Jim to become the longest-serving President of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas. Under his leadership, Foundation assets grew from an initial investment of $67,000 to a current value of $164 million. The Foundation is now one of the largest United Methodist foundations in the country and supports over 800 funds that support United Methodist ministries. In 1980, Jim spotted a beautiful new alto in the PHUMC choir loft. Their love was almost instant, and he and Elise Carey were married four months later, on May 30, 1980. They enjoyed a 38-year marriage of shared devotion. Together they raised two daughters who Jim cherished with great love and enormous pride. Friends and colleagues knew Jim always believed he was blessed to be Elise?s husband, the father of Sarah and Emily, and the grandfather to Charlotte and Anderson. He loved his new role as ?Granddaddy,? delighted in having a namesake in Anderson James, and found great joy in this new season of his life. For Jim, his family shared a unique and common love and a strong sense of belonging, and they were his greatest gifts from God. In 1990, frustrated with the legislature?s failure to provide adequate resources for public schools, Jim successfully ran for the Arkansas House of Representatives as a proud Democrat. It would be his first of eight terms, totaling 18 years in both the House and the Arkansas Senate, with 16 of those spent serving on the education committee of both bodies. Senate colleagues elected him as president pro tem of the State Senate during the 85th General Assembly. Recognized as one of the key architects in the state?s response to the 2002 Lake View Supreme Court decision, Argue was lauded by colleagues as committed, tenacious, and unwavering in his successful efforts towards major school reforms and improvements. Whether it was education, healthcare, or families facing poverty and food insecurity, Jim could be relied upon to create or support greater opportunities for all children. After his time in the Arkansas Legislature came to a close due to term limits, Jim and Elise embarked on a series of travels around the world. Their journeys were many, but Jim especially enjoyed connecting with distant family, the ?Argue Clan? of Ireland. Following their visit, Jim remained connected with many of his newfound Irish cousins. And if he didn?t have enough on his plate, Jim provided volunteer leadership to many charitable organizations. While there are too many to list, a few include: St. Vincent System Board, Board Chair of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Board Chair of Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science (AR Aims), and Advisory Board for the Southern Regional Education Board. Jim also served on the boards of Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center, National Conference for Community and Justice, Arkansas Travelers Baseball Club, and the Arkansas Historical Society. He was also a proud member of the Arkansas Travelers for Bill Clinton. Jim was honored and awarded by numerous groups and organizations, including: Friend of Children Award by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families; Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award by the Arkansas Kids Count Coalition; Distinguished Alumni Award and the Ethel K. Millar Award for Religious and Social Awareness, both from Hendrix College; Lincoln Humanitarian Award from the Arkansas Rice Depot; and the Father Joseph Biltz Award and the Humanitarian Award, both from National Conference for Community and Justice (now Just Communities of Arkansas). Leadership Greater Little Rock renamed its Distinguished Leadership Award his honor. In 2011, Jim was proud to share with Elise the Making A Difference Award from Treatment Homes, Inc. He was proud to be an honoree at the 2016 Philander Smith College?s Living Legends Banquet. A devoted Methodist, Jim was an active leader at his local church, and at the state and national levels. He was the former chair of the Administrative Board of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and a member of the denomination's General Council on Finance and Administration. He was also a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, elated to attend World Series games in 2006, 2011, and 2013. He belonged to a group known as the St. Louis Six, longtime friends who traveled together to St. Louis for big game weekends for 35 years. Jim is survived by his wife Elise, daughters Sarah Argue and Emily Argue Stotts (Jeff), grandchildren Charlotte and Anderson Stotts, sister Marsha Argue Bozeman, brother Robert Argue, nephew Ryan Bozeman, and sister-in-law Ellen Tarkington. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elizabeth, and nephew Bradley Tarkington. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. A reception will immediately follow in the James B. Argue Christian Life Center/Great Hall, named for Jim?s father. Memorials may be made to The Argue Family Memorial Endowment, to benefit the ministries of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas. Donations can be sent to the United Methodist Foundation, 5300 Evergreen Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.