James Burl Walling Jr.

Jim Walling of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family on February 21, 2026. He was 95 years old. Born on January 10, 1931 in Oklahoma City, James Burl Walling Jr. was the eldest son of James Burl Walling and Azell Elliston. He grew up in Soper, where his father owned a general store. He worked in the store, delivered ice blocks, and played baseball and basketball on standout teams with his brother Cliff. He graduated high school in 1949 and attended Central Christian College in Bartlesville for two years before his collegiate career was interrupted by the Korean War. He joined the Army and served his country from 1952 to 1954, stationed in Korea and Japan.

When he returned from Korea, he attended Murray State College for a semester, then transferred to East Central State College (now East Central University) in Ada, where he played baseball and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1957. In that same year, he married Janet Tolbert on Valentine’s Day. The couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2025. After graduation, Jim went to work for a savings and loan company in Bartlesville. He was transferred to Shawnee and became father to two sons, Mark and Jeff, in 1962 and 1965. In the late sixties, he went into business for himself, opening Jim Walling’s Auto Sales. His good humor and easy-going manner made him an excellent salesman. Success in the car business motivated him to open an auto body shop and a trailer park. Jim was a devoted father, coaching his sons’ baseball and basketball teams. Raised in the Church of Christ, he became a Deacon at East Main Church of Christ, where he formed deep friendships with numerous families. The caravan of East Main families on I-40 for extended trips to Tenkiller Lake became an annual summer event. In 1979, his lifelong love of sports and his success as coach of his sons’ teams encouraged him to change professions. At age 48, he became the head basketball coach at Asher High School, launching a 30-year career that culminated in his election to the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame. Jim’s first team made it to the state semifinals. His second team won the state championship. He also coached the Asher baseball team that year, claiming the runner-up and state championship trophies in the Fall and Spring seasons.

Jim became the head coach at Earlsboro High School in 1986. In 24 seasons, his teams reached the state tournament 9 times, including six straight trips to the Big House between 1989 and 1995. His teams reached the state finals three consecutive years, claiming the state crown in 1993. His teams won a total of 642 games. Jim is survived by his sons, Mark Walling (Bethany) of Ada and Jeff Walling (Tisa) of Phoenix, AZ; his grandchildren Dylan Walling of Oklahoma City, Erin Walling of Denver, CO, Flossie Walling of Ada, Maya Marti (Nate) of Phoenix, AZ, and Eli Walling of Naval Air Station North Island San Diego; and his brother Bob Walling of Hugo, OK. Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife, Janet; and his brother, Cliff. A visitation will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Shawnee on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:00. Funeral Services will be held at Central Church of Christ in Shawnee at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.