James Milliken Lesley

James Milliken Lesley, age 82, of Nunley, Arkansas, died Saturday, May 28, 2022, at his home. He was born on Sunday, August 13, 1939, to George Lee and Helen Agnes Milliken Lesley in Folsom, New Mexico.

Jim, as he was lovingly known, grew up and attended school in Hugoton, Kansas. He was very active in sports, playing football and basketball in high school. This is where he developed a love for sports that he carried throughout his life. He was class president all four years of high school. When he wasn’t in school, he worked for local farmers.

In his early adult years, Jim served in the United States Army for two years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. Jim was a man of faith and was a long-time member of the Guymon, Oklahoma, First Baptist Church. He served as Sunday school director for many years while in Guymon. Jim was in a Gospel Quartet and sang for many years traveling to Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

When he retired to Mena, Arkansas, he became a very active member of the First Baptist Church in Mena. Jim loved spending his time playing games with his grandchildren, Maddux and Maggie. He also enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing and keeping up with the youth of the church. For many years Jim worked as a meat cutter for Ideal Food Store, Safeway and Homeland. Then he started a new career as an Office machine technician.

Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ray Lesley; and three sisters, Jean Montfort, Linda Baker, and Mary Jane Lesley.

James is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Loretta Lesley of Nunley, Arkansas; one daughter, Kendra Moke of Cameron, Oklahoma; three sisters, Vera Fellers of Syracuse, Kansas, Helen Williams of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and Sharon Addington of Wichita, Kansas; two grandchildren, Maddux Moke and Maggie Moke of Las Vegas, Nevada; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Mena with Brother Russell Threet officiating. Interment will be Friday, June 3, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at the Gem Cemetery in Gem, Kansas under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 6-8 P.M. at Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Maddux Moke, Myron Higerd, Curtis Linscott, Vince Schallenberg, Jason Hendricks and Matthew Bowser. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ivan Williams, Harlan Baker, Ronald Higerd, Jim Addington, Larry Higerd and Richard Higerd.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home at https://arkansasfamilies.org/give-now

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

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