Jim Fudoli

Jim Fudoli, 73, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15th, at his home in Mountain Home, Arkansas. A funeral service will be held at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 20th with Reverend Kenneth Taglauer officiating. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Fellowship Hall of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Jim was born on December 5, 1941, in Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Velma and Jim Fudoli Sr. The family moved to Litchfield, Illinois, where Jim graduated high school and received all state honors in athletics. Following high school he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and signed on as a pitcher and played four years. On February 16, 1963, Jim married Cynthia Hauser from Litchfield. He attended Eastern Illinois University in Mattoon, Illinois and finished his last season in baseball. After the birth of their son Jimmy III, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Jim worked at Smith Barney Brokerage House. After vacationing in Theodosia, Missouri for several years, they moved down to Bull Shoals Lake, where Jim began working as a fishing guide. He soon joined the professional fishing circuit including B.A.S.S. Jim was fortunate to become friends with Forrest and Nina Wood traveling to tournaments with them and becoming an early representative for Ranger Boats in the tournaments. After moving to Mountain Home, Arkansas in 1975, Jim devoted much of his time to baseball programs from Little League to American Legion. Jim found great joy in working with the players and helping them discover and develop their talents. He also enjoyed duck hunting with friends in Batchtown, Illinois and Brinkley, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his son, Jimmy III and his wife, Loretta and their son, Brock of Conway, Ark. and his sister, Rosemary, (Dr. D. Ross) Billiter of Litchfield, Ill. Jim felt truly blessed everyday of his life to have a loving family and loyal friends. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.