James Edward Danley, 79, of Paragould, passed away Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, Jonesboro.
He was born November 7, 1932, the son of James and Nettie (Snow) Danley at Wardville, Oklahoma. James spent much of his growing up life in the Dixie community.
He graduated in 1953 from Dixie High School, and enlisted in the Air Force. While serving in the Air Force, James had top clearance in the rocket and missile defense systems. In 1954, he married Emma Dell Cooper.
In 1957, he joined the Jonesboro Police Department until 1960. In 1960, James became an Arkansas State Trooper, assigned to Washington County in Western Arkansas and stayed there until 1964.
James transferred to Greene County in 1964. He was selected as Arkansas State Trooper of the year in 1967. James completed 24 years of service and retired in 1984.
In 1988, James was elected Sheriff of Greene County, until 1996. James worked with the Special Olympics, and helped build an orphanage in South America.
James was affiliated with the Gainesville Church of Christ. He cared for the welfare, safety and well being of the people of his county and community.
James loved his Lord, wife, children, and grandchildren very deeply. He enjoyed being with his family, fishing, and traveling.
James is survived by his wife, Emma Dell Danley, of the home; daughter, Angela Smith and her husband, Stan, of West Plains, Missouri; son, Jimmy Danley of Walnut Ridge; and brother, M.A. Danley of Kiowa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amy Jernigan Horn and husband, Brent, of Springdale, Arkansas, Jerrod Jernigan of Poplar Bluff, James Cord Danley of Paragould, Landon Smith of West Plains; and great grandchildren, Gracie Horn, Cooper Horn, Fayth Emma Horn, all of Springdale, and Avery Danley of Paragould.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George Mills; and by a great grandson, Jackson Cooper Danley.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home, Paragould.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, October 5, at Mitchell Funeral Home Chapel with L. R. Smith and Topper Killough officiating. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Danley, Cord Danley, Jerrod Jernigan, Landon Smith, Brent Horn, Mike Archer, Cooper Horn and Avery Danley.