James "Jim" Clinton Rieff

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Obituary

James Clinton Rieff passed peacefully Sept. 19, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice House, Fayetteville, AR. Jim was born Dec. 26, 1939, in Prairie Grove, AR, to D.E. and Mamie Rieff. He graduated from Prairie Grove High School in 1957 and remained a lifelong loyal Tiger. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was a devoted Razorback fan. He served with the Arkansas National Guard for 6 years.

Jim started his banking career at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Prairie Grove as a teller and retired as president. He served on the Board of Education for the Prairie Grove Schools. Jim was named the Prairie Grove Citizen of the Year in the mid-90’s and in 2006 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce. Jim was proud of his hometown and loved the people in it.

Jim was a member of the Prairie Grove Lions Club for over 50 years and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a Mason and a lifelong member of the Prairie Grove United Methodist Church. Lightnin’ was an avid reader – especially newspapers and sporting magazines, and also enjoyed hunting, sports, travel, and tailgates.

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Susan Moore Rieff. Other survivors include a daughter, Leslie Fitzgerald, and husband, Pat; a daughter, Barbara Edmiston, and husband, Steve; and four grandchildren, Parker Fitzgerald, Kennedy Fitzgerald, Alex Edmiston and Cole Edmiston; and Finnish exchange daughter, Martina Odman.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 pm Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Prairie Grove United Methodist Church. A celebration service will be at 10 am Monday, Sept. 23, at the Prairie Grove United Methodist Church. Services are entrusted to Luginbuel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Prairie Grove United Methodist Church, 1401 E. Parks St., Prairie Grove, AR 72753 or Prairie Grove Public Library, PO Box 10, Prairie Grove, AR 72753.

Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com

Funeral Service

Monday, September 23, 2019
10:00 am

Prairie Grove United Methodist Church - 1401 E Parks St. - Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Grave side services will not be held at the cemetery.

Visitation

Sunday, September 22, 2019
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Prairie Grove United Methodist Church - 1401 E Parks St. - Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Final Resting Place

Prairie Grove Cemetery

North, Row 53, Space 145

General

Date of Birth: Dec 26, 1939

Date of Death: Sep 19, 2019

Age: 79

Documents

Jim Rieff Memorial Folder

Tributes

Make a Tribute!

What a great man! Many prayers for all of the family??

Kendra Bartholomew Williams - Friend

Jim was a man of such great character. He treated everyone with such kindness and grace and will be missed by many! Prayers to the family....

Susie McClain Grabbe - friend

We send our sincere sympathy to Susan and the entire Rieff family. Jim was one of the finest men I have ever known.

Debbie and Jim Shofner - Lifetime friend

Although we have been gone from the Ozarks (PrairieGrove) 45 years, our mountain friends and such beautiful memories have remained in our hearts. Jim and Susan Reiff, you are/were so very special to us and will always remain in our heart. Please tell the girls, that our girls also send love and sorrow. Jerry and Stella Cash

Jerry and Stella cash - Long time friend

Sorry for your loss. He was a Great man. My Dad told me a story about him when he was over the bank. He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Dewayne Higginbotham - Friend

Great man who leaves behind such a great legacy. Will always remember the wonderful way Jim and Susan treated us when we moved to Prairie Grove. Rest in Peace sir And May the Good Lord comfort Susan and the girls.

Ken and Susan Harriman - Friend

We were sadden to hear of Jim's passing and join your many friends and family in prayer that you each will feel God's loving arms of comfort and peace as you celebrate Jim's homecoming.

Jarrel and MaryAnn James - Family friend

Lightnin' was a great brother in our fraternity. He was always gracious and friendly. What a fine man. I send my condolences, Susan. Your husband was a great and lovely man. Porter

Porter Briggs - fraternity brother

Lightnin' was a great brother in our fraternity. He was always gracious and friendly. What a fine man. I send my condolences, Susan. Your husband was a great and lovely man. Porter

Porter Briggs - fraternity brother

I hope everyone gets to have a friend like Jim Rieff. Somebody you can laugh with. Someone you can trust. Someone with such character and integrity that you know you will always be proud to call him a friend. RIP Rieff. You were one of a kind.

Larry Jones - Friend

John F. Cross 70 S. Main St. Eureka Springs, AR 72632 September 25, 2019 Luginbuel Funeral Home Guestbook www.luginbuel.com To the Family of Jim C. Rieff: Just a note to tell you of the high regard that we had for Jim, and we are thinking about you at this time. Jim was a good banker and a good man, and I well remember praying for him when he was in the hospital in Texas many, many years ago. With his medical history, I’m surprised that he lasted as long as he did, and lived to a ripe old age, as not many do. We attended many bank conventions in Hot Springs and later in Little Rock, and took many fishing trips together with the guys at Union National Bank and other correspondent bankers. Those were fun times, and we lived in those fun times! As for myself, I’m still coming to work every day, am Chairman of both the bank and holding company boards and am in my 64th year with what is now Cornerstone Bank (formerly Bank of Eureka Springs). I do remember Del and Mamie Rieff when they were active in the bank. I remember one instance quite well, in that the Union National Bank was running late to pick up Jim and me at Drake Field, so we went back downtown to the Old Post Office on the square, and had a couple beers before we flew over to Herbert McAdams’ house on Mallard Point at Bulls Shoals Lake where we fished. We always had a great time with those Union National Bank boys. You may not know this, but Cornerstone/Bank of Eureka Springs is one of only two banks north of the Arkansas River still owned and run by the same families since the 1929 stock market crash, and we are doing exceptionally well with branches at Holiday Island, Berryville, Huntsville and Harrison. Come over and see our 1890’s bank museum sometime. The museum is free, and furnished with old-time banking furniture and equipment as part of the working downtown branch. Just remember: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal--but Life leaves memories that no one can steal.” All the best, John Fuller Cross

John Fuller Cross - banker friend

I enjoyed seeing Jim at the bank when he was there and I owned Valley Drug across the street. His family including parents, wife, and daughters have been a blessing to Prairie Grove. Jim was always so complimentary of my son Brian. He is missed.

Peggy - MOTT

My sincerest condolences to the Rieff Family. I know Jim was active and instrumental in so much of the growth of our Prairie Grove. His lovely Susan by his side. Many, many times My Mom would quote Delford, his answer as to how he was. 'Fine, Good and Alright.' She enjoyed working with him and I felt the respect and warmth she had for him. Jim's passing is difficult. Thankfully, we know that we will all be together again. God Bless each of you at this time.

Carol Parks - aquaintance

Leslie and Family- Please accept my sincere condolences.

Mart Phillips - Friend