James Modisette's Obituary
James Modisette, the youngest of four children of the late Clarence and Lillie McCall Modisette, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2020. He was born December 6, 1931, in south Arkansas and attended Mt. Holly public schools as well as Green’s Business School in El Dorado. He worked as an office manager on construction jobs in Arkansas and Louisiana and served in the United State Army. After military service, Jim attended Southern Arkansas University, the University of Mississippi, and Louisiana State University where he taught part time while completing his PhD in Accounting. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
From 1963 to 1996 he served on the Accounting faculty in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas where he was Department Chair for fourteen years. While at the University of Arkansas, Jim served on many committees, including the Committee on Committees. During the Coach Lou Holtz era, he served on the Athletic Committee and represented the University at four bowl games. Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, awarded Jim with the Outstanding Teaching Award, and he received the Outstanding Advising Award from the College of Business Administration. The Outstanding Faculty Award was presented to Jim at the national meeting of Beta Alpha Psi, the international organization for financial information students and professionals. Additionally, he was an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma, which honors academic achievement in the study of business. Based on his tutelage of so many business leaders, it has been said that James Modisette may have had as much influence over Arkansas CEOs and executives as anyone in the state’s history. He often spoke endearingly of specific details he remembered about each student, and regularly crossed paths with many of them, even on travels to Europe. He always took immense pride in their achievements. His motto to students was “work hard and play hard.”
Always appreciative of his own education, Jim was active in fund-raising in support of students and faculty. The James P. Modisette Scholarship, established by a friend, is awarded each year to an outstanding U of A accounting student entering their senior year.
The Arkansas Society of CPAs recognized Jim for the many years he spent teaching courses in continuing professional education, and he served the community of Fayetteville in other local organizations. Jim was a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church where he served as an usher, and sat on the Finance Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the Administrative Board.
Jim is survived by his wife, Diane, of 56 years; two children: Amy Weyman (Scott) of Evanston, Illinois and Mark Modisette (Debra) of Fayetteville; and three grandchildren: Jackson, and twins Eliza and Ben Weyman also of Evanston.
A private service for his family will be held on Monday, November 9th.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1106, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72702.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
