Jim von Gremp, Alumnus, Trustee Emeritus and Volunteer, Dies at 75

James Alan von Gremp, alumnus, benefactor and emeritus member of the U of A Board of Trustees, died Oct. 12, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. He was 75 years old.

Known to all as "Jim," he built a successful career at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., served with distinction in public office and was steadfast in his charitable efforts and support for the U of A.

"Jim was a true champion for education and a committed supporter of the University of Arkansas," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "He believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities. Along with his wife, Susan, he supported scholarships designed to provide access to higher education for talented students with a drive to succeed. Their generosity has helped many students earn their degrees over the years and will continue to uplift generations of future Razorbacks. Jim lived a life of service, and he will be greatly missed."

Von Gremp was born on Oct. 21, 1949, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the eldest of four children. Raised in a family where college had never been a part of his parents' path, von Gremp forged his own by earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri.

His professional journey began in Bentonville at Walmart, where he moved through roles in training, accounting and public relations, eventually taking on the leadership of the company's charitable foundation. Von Gremp played a pivotal role in launching Walmart's partnership with the Children's Miracle Network, a groundbreaking initiative that has raised more than $1 billion, transforming the lives of children and supporting hospitals across the nation.

In 1988, he started his own accounting practice and later joined A.G. Edwards & Sons. He also co-owned several radio stations in Joplin, Missouri, while also exploring real-estate development. Amid these ventures, von Gremp pursued a Master of Business Administration from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A. Surrounded by classmates nearly 20 years his junior, he eagerly shared insights, offering guidance and perspective to those just beginning their careers.

Von Gremp's commitment to helping others led him to a career in public service in his adopted state, winning a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives representing Benton County from 1993 to 1996. He later served under Gov. Mike Huckabee as executive director of governmental operations and as chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission. His dedication to public service and solving problems earned him the nickname, "Mr. Fix-It."

Von Gremp gave back in other ways, too. He was deeply involved in charitable work, contributing his time and leadership to organizations such as Rotary International, United Way of Benton County and the Benton County Single Parent Scholarship Fund. He also served on the boards of Arvest Bank, the Northwest Arkansas Charitable Foundation and America's Car-Mart. "Above all," his obituary published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette read, "he believed that the measure of a good life was service to others."

That sense of service led von Gremp to eagerly accept a 10-year appointment to the U of A Trustees, where he served from 2005 to 2016, staying on an extra year to fulfill a vacancy left by the departure of another appointee. Afterwards, he served for a year on the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In 2015, he served on the university's chancellor search committee.

"Jim brought wisdom, humility and positivity to every role he held," said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. "He asked thoughtful questions, focused on practical solutions and consistently kept students and the public good at the center of his work. His leadership, including a gift with his wife, Susan, to the Land of Opportunity Scholarship, strengthened the University of Arkansas in enduring ways, and he will be deeply missed."

He served as a member of the U of A Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and a past member of the UA Foundation Board. He and his wife, who also graduated from the University of Missouri, are members of the Arkansas Alumni Association and Chancellor's Society. They are counted as Thoroughreds for their consecutive giving to the U of A and are included in the Towers of Old Main, a giving society recognizing the university's most generous benefactors.

He held a fervent belief in the transformative power of education — a value grounded in his own experiences as a first-generation college graduate and aligned with his broader philanthropic goals including "assisting those with limited resources — especially first-generation college students — can help change the lives of family members for generations to come," von Gremp had said. With his wife, Susan, they established the James A. and Susan F. von Gremp Honors College Fellowship, the Jim and Susan von Gremp Advanced Arkansas Scholarship and, this past year, funded a Land of Opportunity Scholarship.

He is survived by his sisters Marianne Kelly and Susan Samuelson; brother Andy von Gremp; his wife, Susan; their children, Megan and Alan; and four grandchildren — Madeline and Mary Katherine Morgan, and Will and Finn von Gremp.

Family and friends celebrated von Gremp's life at a Nov. 1, 2025, gathering, where guests were encouraged to wear Razorback red in honor of the Razorback's Homecoming football game.