James Lewis

James was born on September 26, 1940, in Purcell, Oklahoma, to Alvis Leon Lewis and Rachel (Bacon) Wisener. He was raised in Washington, Oklahoma, and throughout his life, he called many places home, including California, Austin, Texas, El Paso, Texas, and, since 1972, Norman, Oklahoma.

James lived a rich and vibrant life centered around faith, family, and hard work. A devoted husband, he shared 60 beautiful years with the love of his life, Margaret Lewis. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

A man of many talents and strong values, James was known for his integrity, high work ethic, deep sense of respect, and unwavering love for his family. He taught those around him the importance of forgiveness, the value of a dollar, and the joy of seeing the world. He also passed on his love for sports and coached several youth teams.

James had a great sense of humor and loved spending time with his family, who always brought a smile to his face.

His perfect day was simple and full of love, watching his youngest son sing, seeing all three of his sons play sports, hearing his wife laugh, and being surrounded by his family while cheering on the OU Sooners, especially the football and softball teams.

Professionally, James was a pioneer in the jewelry industry, earning the nickname "Diamond Jim." He was one of the first jewelers to create custom class rings and even crafted Super Bowl rings. His impressive clientele included Conway Twitty, Steve McQueen, The Cathedrals, and Mean Joe Greene. Through both tough economic times and seasons of prosperity, he managed his business with intelligence, resilience, and grace.

As he built his business, he and several large jewelry store owners would fly to Vegas in a private plane getting comped by the Landmark Hotel. He always came back with some fun spending money for us.

Above all, James was a man of deep faith, unwavering love for his wife and family, the family dog Ruby, the OKC Thunder winning the Championship and any Oklahoma Sooners win.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret Lewis of the home; sons Jim Lewis, Jerry Lewis, and Jeff Lewis, all of Norman; his brother Dennis Lewis of Washington, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Rita Lewis; a niece, two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous other beloved family members and friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Alvis Lewis and Rachel Wisener, and his brother, Larry Lewis.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 11th at Norman IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service.

James legacy will live on through the many lives he touched with his kindness, humor, wisdom, and love.