James Drozd

James Frank Drozd passed away on December 6, 2025 at the age of 89. He was the son of Frank (František) and Anna Drozd (née Uhyrek). James was born on a farm near Wallis, Texas on August 8, 1936. He was the eighth of ten siblings. James was born into a Czech-speaking family. His father was an immigrant from today's Czech Republic, and his mother was born in Texas to a family of Czech immigrants. Czech was his native language; he did not learn English until he began to attend school. After graduating high school, he attended one year of college at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He then entered the United States Air Force serving from 1956-1959 and was stationed in Japan. 

Upon returning home to the United States, he met Glenda Pauline Gardner whom he married in 1961. In the early years of their marriage, James and Glenda lived in the Rosenberg and Orchard area in Texas with a three-year stint in southern Missouri. In 1974 they moved to Laplace, Louisiana where they lived for ten years. For many years James worked for Nalco Chemical Company, first in Sugarland, Texas, then in Garyville, Louisiana. When he retired from Nalco, James and Glenda settled in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. Once there, James lived in the same house for the rest of his life. He was active in local affairs, including playing softball and volleyball. He went by several nicknames, including Quick, Jim, and Jimmy, but to his grandchildren he was known as Paw Paw.

James was actively involved in sports throughout much of his life. He particularly love softball and played the game whether he lived in Texas, Louisiana, or Arkansas. He was also an avid reader and kept a large personal library. Even after he moved off the farm in Texas, James routinely kept a garden in his yard as well as fought a perennial battle with the squirrels and rabbits over it.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda; his son, Mark; and all his siblings -- brothers: Frankie, Albert, Gabriel, Ben, John, and Adolph and sisters: Marie, Theresa, and Lil. 

He is survived by his son, Andrew and daughter, Debra; daughter-in-law, Priscilla; grandchildren: Jordan, Alexander, Lindsey, Ian, and Alina; and his great-granddaughter, Adalyne.

A memorial service will be in the chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome.