James Joseph Wells
September 22, 1933 - March 29, 2026
Our beloved father, grandfather passed away peacefully March 29 at the
age of 92. He is survived by 3 daughters: Debra Irvin, Susan Bair, and
Mary Melson (husband Dave); brother William Wells (wife Sue); nieces
Kim, Daisy Lewis, and nephew Conrad Wells; 8 grandchildren - Aaron Irvin
(wife Carine), Angela Pilch (husband Dave); Jared, Tyler, and David Bair,
Ashley Cookson (husband Jake); Nichole Ellis, Brian Lee Riley; 17 great
grandchildren - Brendan, Aidan, Gavan Irvin; Bri LeDoux (fiance Dalton)
Bella Berghuis; Elijah, Kaleb, Kadence, and Neeka Bair; Daisha, Noah
Bair; Lily, Evelyn, and June Cookson; Chloe Anderson (husband Jordan),
Ruby, Oliver Ellis; and 1 great, great granddaughter Aliyah Bair.
He served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne as a Paratrooper
during the Korean War era then served in the California National Guard 6
years. After relocating to Hawaii, he was a long-time member and Sergeant
at Arms of the Honolulu American Legion Post 19, VFW Hall Ala Wai
Waikiki. He loved sailing and deep sea fishing with his brother. When the
Honolulu Star Newspaper featured a shipwreck off the coast in 1970, no
one was surprised to hear it was the Wells Brothers. He retired at the age
of 70 from Hickam Air Force Base and loved his civilian life in Honolulu, a
place he called home. In 2020 Arkansas became his final home.
A military service will be held in his honor at the Fayetteville National
Cemetery at 11:30 on May 1. Followed by a Celebration of Life at Mount
Sequoia at 1:00pm. Pastor Jim Hall will be officiating. Dinner will follow for
family and friends also provided by New Heights Church of Fayetteville.