Final Salute

James Edward Leslie, 80, of Fayetteville, passed away on January 21, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville from complications of COVID infection. He was born December 23, 1941, in Springdale, Ark., to James Royce Leslie and Ethel Harrison Leslie, who preceded him in death. He and Glenda Susan Ames were married in 1969 in Fayetteville. She preceded him in death in 2020. They had been married 51 years.
James was a graduate of Springdale High School and received a degree in architecture from the University of Arkansas in 1973. Prior to graduation, he served two years in the U.S. Peace Corps, building schools in Gabon, West Africa. Following his service in the Peace Corps, he joined the U.S. Navy Seabees and served two deployments in Vietnam over four years. He worked in architecture in Oklahoma City, Okla., and retired from Superior Wheel Company in Fayetteville. He enjoyed his grandchildren, art and writing poetry. He won blue ribbons for his poems in veterans administration competitions. James attended the Elkins Full Gospel Church.
He is survived by his daughter, Vikki B. Leslie Davidson of Fayetteville; two granddaughters: Lauren Fenner Phillips and Buckly Davidson Phillips, both of Fayetteville; his sister, Dorothy Leslie Adair (Oren) of Tucson, Ariz.; his brother, Douglas Leslie (Sara) of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Paul Ames (Ann) of Benton, Ark.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends; and special friend, Jan Jardagan of Fayetteville.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, January 31, 2022, at Beard’s Chapel with Pastor Ray Shackelford officiating. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with military honors.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until service-time on Monday at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for the care and compassion of the VA Hospital 3rd floor COVID ICU Unit medical staff.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

Published January 30, 2022

OBITUARY SUBMITTED BY:
Beards Funeral Chapel
855 S. Happy Hollow Road, Fayetteville, AR
Phone: 479-521-8551
http://www.beardsfuneralchapel.com