Jimmy (Jim) Ples Spradley
Jan 5, 1932 - Oct 7th, 2020- Birth Date: Jan 5, 1932
- Death Date: Oct 7, 2020
- Funeral Date: Unknown
- Location: Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church
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Biography: Jimmy Ples Spradley, 88, passed away October 7, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 5, 1932 and lived most of his life in Little Rock.
After graduating from Little Rock Junior College with a two-year degree, he earned a BA in business administration from the University of Arkansas in 1953. He and business partner Daryl Coker co-founded Spradley & Coker group insurance agency in 1979, which became the largest independent Third-Party Administrator in Arkansas. Daryl and Jim also founded the first fully integrated PPO network in Arkansas, called Coordinated Arkansas Preferred Provider Organization. In October, 2019, both Jim and Daryl were inducted into the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame. Daryl said “Without a doubt, the best career decision I ever made was teaming up with Jim. You couldn’t have a better partner and it resulted in a 48-year friendship that I will always treasure.”
Jim served the community on too many boards to list, including as president of the Little Rock School Board and the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation. In his over 70 years as a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, he served as Lay Leader, Chairman of the Administrative Board, the Finance Committee, and the Building Committee, and he served in the choir and on the Board of Trustees. He chaired the PHUMC Building Committee for 14 years. Jim loved the outdoors and was an avid vegetable and fruit grower his whole life. He took that interest to new levels when he started a commercial blueberry and pecan farm in 1985 with his son Ples and daughter-in-law Patti.
Jim is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carolyn Spradley, his brothers Tommy Spradley (Linda) and Mark Spradley (Laura); his children Laura Spradley (Tom Sowa), Mary Spradley, Ples Spradley (Patti), and Jane Spradley; his stepdaughters Lori Edelstein and Lisa Hazel (Joe); his grandchildren Cory Spradley, Anna Wilmoth (Grant), Christin Spradley, Lillian Sowa (James Brozik), Elizabeth Spradley, Jackson Spradley (Sara Stevens), Billy Wilson, and Andy Wilson; his great-granddaughter Bennett Wilmoth; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Ples and Mary Ann (Smith) Spradley, and his wife of 39 years, Lynn Jackson Spradley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Centennial Preservation Endowment, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR 72205. Jim’s memorial service will be held in the PHUMC Columbarium Garden in a private ceremony.
My condolences. Jim was a great guy, whom I knew from Boy Scout camp days. And I enjoyed working with him in the Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas Chapter. He was a good leader. He will be missed by friends and the community.
Bick