James Dietz, 79, passed away at home peacefully on March 3, 2022. He was born October 17, 1942, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Edward Gardner Lewis Dietz and Harriet Kearney Dietz.

James came to Little Rock with his family in June of 1950. He graduated from Little Rock Hall High School in 1960. He attended New Mexico Highlands University on a baseball scholarship in Las Vegas, N.M. From there he was signed to the New York Yankees Minor League team in the Carolinas, where he pitched for four years.

He had a varied career in insurance and real estate, which began at Rector Phillips Morse. He and his late brother, Kearney Dietz then went out on their own and started The Brothers Dietz, another real estate company. Later James returned to Rector Phillips Morse as a commercial broker where he continued his career as Vice-President of Commercial Sales and achieved the honor of 15 year membership into the Million Dollar Club. He was responsible for such projects as McCain Business Park, Sycamore Business Park and Northwood Commercial Park, just to name a few.

Many people know James as being a public servant of his community. He served District 66 as an Arkansas State Representative from 1989 to 1999. Also, he was a member of many community organizations such as North Little Rock Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Club of North Little Rock, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the Recovery Center of Arkansas. James received many honors and in 2014 was inducted into the Jim Wetherington Hall of Fame of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas. Another recognition was being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation. Also, he served as President & CEO of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce.

James enjoyed many extracurricular activities, but golf was his absolute favorite. Spending the day on the golf course with his friends and especially his sons was his version of the perfect day. He held an unbelievable personal record of 21 "Holes in One."

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Judi Evans Dietz of North Little Rock. He had two sons, Dr. James Gardner, Dietz Jr (Lee Ann) of Memphis, Tenn., and Richard Evans (Bryan) Dietz of Little Rock; three grandchildren, including Hannah and Haley Dietz of Memphis, Ten., and Eva Dietz of Little Rock. James is survived by his brother Richard (Kay) of Atlanta, Ga. He was preceded in death by his brother Kearney (Floy Jean) of Little Rock, and Sherrin Wood (Dale) of Florence Ala.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2022, at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m., with Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the North Little Rock Girls and Boys Club, 600 N Palm Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170. Sign Mr. Dietz's online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com