James Walter Gladson

James “Jim” Walter Gladson

James W. Gladson, 94, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, died peacefully at home September 6, 2022. He was born July 18, 1928 in Omaha Nebraska to Ambrose B. and Agnes M. Gladson.

Jim had a strong work ethic and a love of country. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945 and served aboard the U.S.S. Bremerton heavy cruiser in the South Pacific. After his naval tour of duty he had a successful career as a sales representative for Major Appliance and Truesdale Distributing companies covering western and northern Nebraska and southern South Dakota.

He married Karen Kinkle in 1965. In 1972 they left Nebraska and moved to Texas. They owned and operated a motel in Bowie, a hunting and fishing lodge in Whitney, and he was also a fixed base operator at the Decatur airport. After moving to Fort Worth, he went back into sales as a district representative for Big Drum Alco. He retired in 1987, but worked part time in Crowley as a school bus driver, bus driving instructor and safety officer for 5 years. Jim and Karen both retired and moved to Bella Vista, AR in 1993 where he continued to work at a golf course.

He obtained a pilot’s license in 1949 and held a Commercial Instrument rating. He enjoyed flying his airplanes with family, pheasant hunting, and Nebraska Cornhusker football games. He was a member of Saint Bernard’s Church in Bella Vista, the American Legion Post, a 4th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the pilots only Quiet Birdmen.

James was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Karen Gladson; grandson Aaron Jones and two sisters Betty Markham and Jeanne Brogan.

He is survived by his daughter Kathy Jones and husband Lloyd of Rogers, Arkansas; daughter Kimberly Hailey and husband Jim of North Richland Hills, Texas; Son Kevin Gladson and wife Lori of Bellevue, Nebraska; sister Helen Perrin of Omaha, Nebraska and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be held on September 29, 2022 at 11:15am in St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska. Visitation at St. Cecilia’s 10:15-11:15 before funeral mass. Inurnment follows at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials to: St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha.