James "Jimmy" Fears

James “Jimmy” Fears, 93, was born March 23, 1922 in De Queen, Arkansas to parents Edward and Lottie Fears. He passed peacefully from this life on July 29, 2015 in Norman, Oklahoma. He is survived by his three step children, Johnny and wife Donna Crabtree, Sheila and husband Ian Bittle, and Janet and husband Rick Johnson; grandchildren, Brett, Lori, Terri, Amanda, and Christopher; brother in laws Ellis Stanford and Joe Blair; and sister in law Shirlene Allen. He is preceded in death by two wives, Peggy in 1957 and Gail in 2010.

Jimmy enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 in Oklahoma City and proudly served is country during World War II and the Battle of the Bulge where he was injured. After his military service he worked at Tinker Air Force Base for 31 years. In 1945 Jimmy married Peggy Crabtree and they together made their home with her young son Johnny that Jimmy raised as his very own. Sadly Peggy lost her battle with cancer in 1957. Jimmy later met Gail Thompson and was married in 1961. Gail brought to this union two young daughters, Sheila and Janet. Jimmy and Gail loved to travel after their retirement.

Jimmy was very active in church work and was proud to be a founding member of Crest Baptist Church in Midwest City and member of First Southern Baptist Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Norman Veteran Center and McCorkle Hospice for their care and support.