Jim D. Bynum

Jim attended Elementary school at Sequoyah Elementary and Clearwater Florida Elementary. The family moved to Checotah in 1956 where he finished school. Jim excelled as a student athlete playing Varsity Football as a Freshman and made All Conference in his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. He rushed 932 yards his Sophomore year leading the NOAA Conference, he led the state as a punter with a 42 yard average, and was also the second leading scorer in the state that year with 104 points. Jim was involved in Student Council and was Vice President of his Senior class and also was a member of the Checotah All State Band where he played the tuba.

After graduation from Checotah in 1965, Jim pursued higher education at Northeastern State University where he was a member of the Phi Lambda Chi Fraternity, Tulsa Community College, and the University of Tulsa. He earned degrees in Science and a Master’s in School Administration. Jim was a passionate educator, certified to teach Biology, Zoology, Botany, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Chemistry. Inspiring countless students through his knowledge and love of learning. Jim was a force, organizing and inspiring his colleagues and soon found his calling as a lobbyist for the Oklahoma Education Association. He helped write the language in house bill 1017 that directly impacted Oklahoma Public Schools.

Jim was a spiritual seeker, knowledgeable of the Bible and the Universe. He served as Deacon, Elder and Sunday School teacher at the First Presbyterian Church. Jim was loved by many, remembered as witty, smart, super athlete, good friend, talented in so many ways, incredible sense of humor, generous and empathetic. He is deeply missed.

Jim was preceded in death by: parents Welza and Marjie Bynum, his sisters Leatha (Bynum) Colca (Toney) and Violet (Bynum) Best (Sam), and nephew Michael Van Doughty.

Jim is survived by: wife of 48 years Marilyn Sue (Lane) Bynum, daughter Kelly (Bynum) Hartsoe (Nathan), granddaughters Grace and Callee Hartsoe, nephew Danny P. Doughty (Donna), niece Sharon (Adcock) Dennard, great niece Marie Doughty (Joey).

Jim cherished and found comfort in his favorite scripture,

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39