James Heron DeLoach

James DeLoach, 100 years old, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at Norman Oklahoma HealthPlex. He stayed steadfast in his battle with the aging process determined to stay active and vigilant to the end. His greatest sorrow was the loss of his of memory and his large extraordinary vocabulary.

His cleverness and ingenuity was evident early. As a child on the farmlands of Georgia he loved to take things apart just to discover how they worked and see if they could be made better. When reminiscing he would explain "Just the suggestion of how something worked would make me want to take it apart and see for myself." Under his bed today is a container of drawings, parts, and pieces of a life long project he called a "Do-hicky" that just might prove one of the basic laws of physics to be incorrect.

In his teens he improved a canoe to what he called "a spiffy condition", traded it for a Model A and tackled the mechanics of the automobile. He challenged teachers, studied Art and was given the honor of designing and painting a Frieze around the stage of his high school auditorium. At night long after bedtime, under the covers with a flashlight, he read every book written by Zane Grey. He used his paychecks from a part time job at a local New Jersey grocery store to take flying lessons and before graduation he earned his pilots license in a Piper Cub.

James was at work when he heard that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor. On the 21st day of September, 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. His Cadet training took several phases where he qualified in a Fairchild PT19A, North American BT9, North American AT6, and Martin B26 Twin Engine. He was assigned to 322nd Bomb Group, Squadron 450th part of the European Campaign. He flew as pilot or copilot on 27 bombing missions which included 4 crashes. His 22nd mission "D­ Day June 6, 1944" pilot log entry reads:

"NEVER SAW SO MANY BOATS AND PLANES IN MY LIFE - SKY AND WATER WAS COVERED WITH THEM-ALSO GLIDERS WITH PARATROOPERS IN THEM-CITIES WERE IN FLAMES WHEN LEAVING SHORE-FLAK WAS LIGHT STUFF-VERY INTENSE AND ACCURATE -ENCOUNTERED CONVOYS ALL THE WAY BACK-JUST LIKE A SHUTTLE SERVICE-NO DAMAGE TO PLANE-THIS TRIP WAS A SIGHT I WOULDN'T TRADE FOR ANYTHING.

On the last crash he was captured by the German soldiers and sent to Stalag Luft Ill where he was held until the war ended.

Upon his return to the USA, James was sent to Frederick, Oklahoma for R&R where he met his wife to be and her daughter Patricia DeAnne. Together for 72 years, they had two daughters, Pamala "Zane" and Lora Lea, 10 Grandchildren,15 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his parents John L. DeLoach and Vera Anderson DeLoach, His wife Norene B Barker DeLoach, his sister and only sibling Suretha Mildred Smith, step daughter Patricia Deanne Greenhaw and his oldest Grandchild Jimmie Lee Williamson.

Memorial Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Noble, Tuesday May 3, at 10 a.m. Viewing will be held at Primrose Funeral Home, Monday May 2, 5-7 p.m.