J.S. Kilgroe passed away Sunday evening on December 4, 2011, at his home in Malvern, Arkansas. He was 79 years old. J.S. was born in Pearcy, Arkansas on February 22, 1932, to the late James Kilgroe and Pearle Belle Ward Kilgroe.

To all who knew him, J.S. was a quiet and unassuming man who worked long hours and lots of overtime to provide a good life for his family and even take a few vacations to Walt Disney World every so often. Friends and co-workers often described him as a diligent worker with a keen eye for detail.

An Air Force veteran, J.S. received an honorable discharge having served in Germany following the end of WWII. After 24 years as a machinist with Reynolds Cable and a member of the local steel workers' union, J.S. retired to spend more time at home and work on gardening projects. During and after his time at Reynolds, J.S. also raised cattle and other livestock at his farms in Perla and Magnet Cove; he loved driving out to the farm listening to eight-track tapes of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson in his Chevy Big 10.

To his wife, Carolyn Sue, J.S. was a loving husband who never left her side and showed unwavering devotion in sickness and in health. They were married on October 20, 1957, by Brother Don Hook at the First Baptist Church on Main Street, and ever since that day 54 years ago, J.S. could often be seen holding hands with "his Susie" all around town.

To his children and granddaughter, J.S. was a protective and caring dad and grandfather who taught Sam, Sherri, and Cagney the value of compassion, integrity, and thoroughness. In fact, over the years J.S. instilled the importance of paying attention to detail by often saying to Sam and Sherri that "something is not done until it's done right"; instruction manuals at the Kilgroe home were always chock-full of underlined text.

In his spare time, J.S. could be found tinkering around the house, listening to country music, or playing with his many animals.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sue Lindvall Kilgroe; his son, Nicholas Samuel Lee Kilgroe and his wife, Pam, of Malvern; his daughter, Sherri Lynne (Kilgroe) De Jesus and her significant other, Michael Jauregui of Kingwood, Texas; a granddaughter, Cagney Kilgroe; and his many furry and feathered children and grandchildren.

The funeral for J.S. will be at ten o'clock on Thursday morning, December 8, 2011, in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Tyler Thompson officiating. His burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, December 7th, from six until eight o'clock.

Pallbearers will be: Robert "Robby" Bailey, Bryan Couch, Jeff Erwin, Shane Draper, Ronny Orr, and Jeremy Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be his former co-workers at Reynolds, Dennis Cates, and Michael Kidder.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be sent to Arkansas Hospice, 628 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.