James Baeder Busby

James Baeder Busby (“Jim”), 62, of Little Rock, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025. Born on January 8, 1963, in Little Rock, Jim was the youngest of five children of the late Dr. John Vincent Busby and Thelma Loretta Massery Busby.

Jim was a proud graduate of Little Rock Catholic High School. Jim was affable, kind and generous. He was known for his thoughtfulness easy going nature and terrific sense of humor. When you met Jim, you immediately liked him. His many friends were extraordinarily fortunate to have experienced Jim’s compassion, love and caring support, Everyone who knew Jim delighted in his humor.

Jim had a lifelong passion for cars. He was exceptionally knowledgeable about and skilled in the restoration of classic cars. Using his curios creativity, Jim loved visualizing a full restoration and the hands-on experience of reviving the old soul of a used car to its original beauty and function.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents Baeder F. Busby and Ann Martin Busby and George W. Massery and Anna Fisher Massery, his parents John Vincent Busby and Thelma Loretta Massery Busby, his uncle Rev. Martin E. Busby and his aunt Rosemary Busby Smith and recently his sister, Mary Busby Stramel.

Jim is survived by his dearest friend, companion and caregiver Heidi Edgar, his siblings: John G. Busby of Santa Barbara, California; Joseph M. Busby and wife, Jolie, of Greenville, North Carolina; and Martha Busby Cross; and cousin, Brendan M. Smith of Kansas City, Missouri.

No formal funeral service is planned. Jim’s remains will be privately interred by the family at Calvary Cemetery. 

In honor of Jim’s life, the family invites you to consider donating to Catholic High School Foundation, Inc. or your favorite charity.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section. 

www.arkansascremation.com