Jimmie James

Jimmie James aka Jim, JJ, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Ups, Ole Blue Butt (due to his dedication to Montgomery Elevator) and as the Chicago elevator technicians called him “that Redneck Hillbilly SOB”, was born on March 18, 1931, to Fieldon and Della James. Jim met the love of his life Mildred (Millie) Gilley, and they were married January 5, 1951. During their 68 years of marriage, they had three children Rhonda, Michael, and Dawna. Jim was a true American Cowboy, he had three passions, his wife, his family, and the sport of Rodeo. He was a friend to many and a stranger to few. He was a true leader in many ways, he worked hard and roped hard. He never did anything halfway and taught all of us how to be good men and women and to work hard for our own passions. Jim was in the Navy during the Korean War and served his country earning an honorable discharge with the rank of Boatswains Mate 2nd Class where they are considered the heart of the ship and a “jack of all trades” performing multiple tasks which was reflected through Jim’s post Navy life. After the Navy he worked in the oilfields then began his career working in the elevator/escalator industry, beginning with Elevator Sales and Service working as a field technician then going into the office as a Construction Superintendent. Montgomery elevator purchased Elevator Sales and Service and Jim continued his career with Montgomery Elevator in multiple roles including Construction Superintendent and Branch Manager. KONE Inc purchased Montgomery Elevator and Jim completed his career with an accumulation of 38 years in the elevator industry. After his retirement Jim spent his time with Millie at their home near Purcell, Oklahoma which consisted of 40 acres, several barns and of course a roping arena. Jim spent most of his life competing in Rodeos where he was not only a contestant, but was an official, an announcer, working in the chutes to get the livestock ready to go, he pretty much did it all. Jim spent his twilight years of performing at Rodeos in the Living Legends Association and the Senior Pro Rodeo Association aka SPRA of which he was voted to work as the President of the SPRA for several terms. In his younger years of Rodeoing and roping calves it was often thought if he could have had the opportunity to rope professionally full time, he could have been among the top performers in the Pro Rodeo Association. Jim also went to numerous local rodeos where he participated with Millie, his son Michael, his Granddaughter Jessica, and his Grandson Jim (Bo) Stevens. Jim truly loved and looked forward to handling and training all his horses through the years, but his beloved black horse Coco was his all-time favorite. Jim bought Coco as a yearling, then broke and trained Coco to become a very reliable horse. Under Jim’s care, Coco lived a very good life for 32 years during and throughout those years the horse’s duties included being a babysitter for Jim’s children and grandchildren. Jim’s most treasured and prideful moments with horses were spent sharing and teaching about horses with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as he trained them to ride, rope and care for their horses and become a reflection of himself. He was kind, stern but always caring in teaching all to be their best. He also worked in the local area with a farmer Tommy McPherson where he worked on much of the farm related equipment such as hay balers, irrigation systems, tractors, trucks, etc., you name it and he would find a way to get things working, so much so they nicknamed him “MacGyver” like the TV character due his skillset of welding, patching with baling wire, duct tape and just an overall ability to make things work again after they broke down. He absolutely loved working cattle for Tommy and would load up a horse and go “ride the herds” checking the stock for illness, missing cattle, etc. But the most exciting thing for him was to get all the kids involved in gathering the strays, roping them, herding them back to the herd; just like they did in the days of the old west. It was often said Jim was born in the wrong era as he was very much if not more of a Cowboy from the ages of the wild west. As the saying goes in true Cowboy style “He went out with his boots on.”

We say farewell to Jim in his favorite way “See ya down the road pardner.”

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Mildred (Millie) James, youngest daughter Dawna Keel, father Fieldon James, mother Della James, sister Elsie Luscotoff, brother Harley James, and son-in-law Charlie Stevens. He is survived by his sister Fay (Shug) Castillo, daughter Rhonda Stevens, son Michael James and his wife Karen. Grandchildren Jessica Phillips, Jim Stevens and wife Kelli, Alissa Rice and husband Curtis, Jerod James and wife Megan. Great Grandchildren Cade, Makayla, Keira, Aubree, Camden, Charlee, Brady plus, a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and a tremendous number of friends.

There will be no viewing per Jim's request. A graveside service for Jimmie will be held Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141. Jimmie will be buried at 10am (graveside optional for friends), then family and friends will gather in the mausoleum after that for reflection.