James Edmond "Red" Husbands, 87, of El Dorado, passed from this life on November 10, 2010 at Hillsboro Life Care Center in El Dorado. He was known affectionately as Red to his loved ones, was born in Ruston, LA, June 7, 1923 to Burla McDaniels Husbands and Henry Aklin Husbands.
The family moved to New Union Community below Strong known at the time as Union Sawmill Camp 8 when Red was about 6 years old. He graduated from New Union school in 1941 and went to Crossett to work at the Crossett paper mill. They gave him a job if he would play baseball for them.

He joined the Navy in 1942 and served in World War II until 1945. While in the Navy he met a man from New York City that asked him to move to New York and play baseball for a team called the Medina Bluejays. He played one summer and caught a bus back to El Dorado.
He met Wilma Turberville Norris while she was waitressing at Woody's grill. They married in January of 1947. He went to work for Monsanto's El Dorado chemical plant in 1946. He was called back into the Navy and served in the Korean War on USS Hopewell from 1951 to 1953.
When he was released from the Navy, he went back to work for Monsanto who had held his job until his return from war. He was transferred to the Luling, LA plant in 1954. He was transferred into sales in 1967 and moved to Monroe, La where he retired in 1985. He and Wilma lived in Monroe until her death in 2000. He then moved back to El Dorado.

James was a member of the Masons for 59 years and also participated in the Shriners. He was a member of the Strong Church of Christ and attended services last Lord's Day.


James was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Husbands, his parents, Burla Husbands Provence, and Henry Aklin Husbands; a sister, Helen Russ; and a special niece, Virginia Matthews.


He is survived by one brother, Wayne Husbands Sr.of El Dorado; one sister, Janet Dunlop (
Gene) of Sonora, California; a sister in law, Marvene Saunders of Strong, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, and loved ones who shall certainly mourn his passing.


Visitation will be from 6-8PM at the Strong Church of Christ Thursday, November 11, 2010 .
Funeral will be 2PM Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Strong Church of Christ with Cullen Smith and Michael Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the New London Cemetery in Strong under the direction of Perry's Funeral Chapels of Strong.

Pallbearers will be Ben Matthews, Chris Husbands, Wayne Husbands Jr, Ronny Matthews, Peter Poole, and Bill Russ.

The family will be at 386 Sandy Bend Rd.

Memorials may be made to Strong Church of Christ P.O. Box 636 Strong, AR 71765 or New London Cemetery 3043 New London Road, Strong, AR 71765.