James Vernon Jager

James Vernon Jager, son of Vernon C. and Shirlee G. (Larson) Jager, was born on May 11th, 1943 in San Francisco, California and went to be with the Lord on March 2nd, 2021. When he was 2 years old his family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where he graduated from Ponca High School in 1961 then attended Northern Oklahoma College. On June 5th, 1960, he met the girl of his dreams, Patricia Ann Livingston, his high school sweetheart and married her on January 18, 1964. God blessed them with three daughters, Rebecca, Tina, and Cynthia.

In August 1959, Jim started his career with Safeway Stores in Ponca City. His integrity and work ethics caused him to advance in his career and his promotions took his family to Blackwell, Tonkawa, Alva, and lastly Edmond in January, 1976. Many of his employees were grateful to work with and for him through the years. He retired in September 1992 due to medical reasons. Jim was also a member of the Edmond Police Citizens Academy.

Even though Jim retired from his management job, he was not one to slow down or quit working. Jim felt the Lord asking him to get involved with one of the outreach ministries at Church on the Rock where he and his family had joined in December 1993. He enjoyed his “second career” by being the Director of the Church on the Rock Food Ministry. Jim’s love for people and a God-given heart to serve lead him to follow one of his passions, serving others. He took what God had given him and used those talents and abilities to help people. If there was a job to be done, Jim was the first to volunteer. He gave his time and talents to helping his friends, community, Two Rivers Native American Training Center, and the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank Urban Distribution Team.

There wasn’t much Jim couldn’t do when he set his mind to it. He was a “Jack", or shall we say, a “Jim" of all trades! He learned many of his skills from his Dad, Vernon, and took great pleasure in passing them on to his grandson, James. His granddaughter, Kaitlyn, needed a cat tower for her cat and Jim and James got busy in the garage making one for her that the cat loved! It wasn’t just a “cat tower” it was a quality “high rise” – nothing but the best for his grandkids.

(Pastor Rhett’s memory/contribution) I know for our family, Jim was a great help with some of the things that needed to be done at our home. When our son was about 2 or 3 years old, and something needed to be fixed, even Mitchell knew to call Jim because “Nim fix it”.

It didn’t take much time being around Jim to know he operated in unconditional love toward others. Pat and their girls were always first in his heart for his love, support, care and strength. Jim loved being in the mountains with his family - that was his “happy place.” They loved sightseeing, camping, relaxing, rainbow trout fishing, and seeing the beautiful Aspen trees. The girls were the ultimate “Daddy’s Girls” knowing he was always there for them. One of the special memories the girls love was when they were kids and their Daddy tucked them into bed at night. He would kneel at their bedside joining in their bedtime prayers, tucking them tightly into bed with “sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite”, a kiss on the head and saying “goodnight sweetheart.” He tightly tucked them in as securely as they were tucked into his heart of love for them.

As a season ticket holder to the Oklahoma University football games, there weren’t many games that he missed. Now as much as he loved OU football and spending time with James at the games, he also loved hot dogs and cokes, something that was definitely not on his diet. As James spent time helping his Papa with the Food Ministry, going to the games or any other outing it was considered an “opportunity” for the two of them to sneak in a good hot dog and a root beer or coke. Those treats always came with the instructions “don’t tell your Mimi we had a hot dog and coke” – you know the saying… “what happens with Papa – stays with Papa!” Jim had two diet plans, the one Pat tried to keep him on and the one he shared with his kids and grandkids that they were sworn to secrecy.

You didn’t have to know Jim very long before you saw the prankster side of his character…and a character he was! There are far too many pranks to even begin to mention today but if you knew him…you were teased, pranked or tricked by him at some point. The magic tricks he did were nothing compared to his creative imagination that could come up with his pranks and his desire to show love and laughter with others.

Jim loved his Lord and Savior and was a man who always wanted to speak faith, be positive and show the love of God to others the best way he could. He was a faithful friend. To know Jim was to love Jim.

Jim’s life was a life well lived by loving others.

His devoted wife, Patricia Ann;

Daughters: Rebecca Labus, her husband Mike; Cyndi DeLeon, her husband Troy;

Grandchildren: James Neighbors, his wife Ashley, Kaitlyn Huegel, her husband Nick, Hannah DeLeon, and Jonathan DeLeon;

Great grandchildren: Hunter and Jack Huegel;

Step-grandchildren: Brittany Willison and Anthony Labus

Step-great grandchildren: Tatum Goins and Madison and River Labus

They will carry on the love and memories of their Husband, Dad, and Papa.

Others remembering Jim in their hearts and memories are:

Brother-in-law: Bill Livingston, wife Annette; Niece: Lee Ann Poole, husband Boyde;

Nephews: Bill W. Livingston, husband Dale Pfeiffer; and Danny Livingston, his wife Peggy and many other loved nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends who will always remember Jim’s love, laughter and kindness!

Predeceasing Jim were his parents, Vernon and Shirlee Jager; daughter, Tina Jager; and brother, Jeff Jager.