James Allen Kruse, 91, went peacefully home with his wife, Hertha, by his side on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Funeral services were held on July 13, 2026, at Riley Funeral Home. A Committal service was at Bethel Cemetery in Jonesboro.
He was born on January 2, 1935, to Virgil Elmer Kruse and Bessie Mae Dicus Kruse in Simms.
He graduated high school and wanted to enlist with the Navy. His dad said he wouldn’t sign, but James told him he was going to forge his signature so he could enlist. He joined the Navy on January 19, 1954. He married Hertha Estelle Hoffman on June 25, 1960, and made it 66 years. They had two children, a son, J.M. Kruse, and a daughter, Janet Davis.
James worked for Conviar inspecting aircraft, then went to work at Bell Helicopter, where he retired. After retirement, he and Hertha managed mobile home parks until he decided feeding cows and living on the farm was more fun. He loved to go fishing and liked to wet a hook as often as Hertha would let him. James was a happy soul and usually had a big smile on his face.
He is preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Janet Davis.
Survivors include his wife, Hertha; son, J.M. Kruse and wife Lola, and J.M.’s step-daughters, Tresa Parker and husband Mario, and Whitney Johnson and husband Cody; and one grandson, Shane Gregory. He also leaves behind several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There is a special neighbor, Mark Gasparini, who will miss him dearly.
