Jack L. James

On one of the hottest days of record, August 10, 1936, Jack Lee James arrived on the Oklahoma prairie to Joe and Dorotha James in Chandler, Oklahoma. On that day the world received a gift of a most unique individual- our beloved husband, dad, Poppy, relative and friend.Preceding him into glory were his precious parents and his only sibling and older sister, Shirley Ann Grell. Jack married his seminary sweetheart, Martha Jo Fielder, whom he affectionally referred to as Marty, "My darling, my sweetheart for life." They were married 60 years. She has been his support throughout life and chief caregiver during his recent demise. He loved her more than life itself.By age 12, Jack was financially independent, supporting himself with a Daily Oklahoman paper route. During the 'war years' those papers were quite heavy for a kid on his bike, but he managed to get himself up at 5 am, to first fold the papers, then throw his route and be at school by 8.Jack graduated Capitol Hill High School in 1954 where he was the junior class president and all-around favorite guy. Everybody loved to ride in Jack's robin's egg-blue Ford convertible that he purchased from the savings of his paper route. At 16, he experienced a life-changing, spiritual transformation when he met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at Capitol Hill Baptist Church under the preaching of evangelist Hyman Appleman. As a junior in high school, he soon felt called to serve the Lord as a full-time minister. Jack's fervency for serving the Lord manifested as he began begging the manager of radio station KLPR to give him some preaching time on the radio. The manager gave him a 15-minute slot and Jack went on the air with his program entitled "The Gospel in a Nutshell."In preparation of his calling to the ministry, he attended and graduated Oklahoma Baptist University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English. He loved good literature. (Throughout his life, he kept two or three books going at one time.) To pay for his education, with his charming personality, he sold refrigerators door to door. His first day at seminary he met his roommate, Jerry Fielder, who introduced Jack to his beautiful sister. They fell in love and were married in December of 1959. He graduated Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961. He went on to pastor different churches throughout Oklahoma and Texas for the next 17 years. He loved Jesus and sharing the 'good news' of his Savior. He also had an encouraging word for anyone who needed it.Jack had a huge heart. He had the gift of giving. He loved to buy ice cream for anyone who needed a little something sweet to brighten their day.Always appreciating the glitter, Jack opened Classic Designs Fine Jewelry in the late 1970's. Many folks were blessed with a little more sparkle in their life due to Jack James with his gift of sales and love of people. Jack was a natural salesman, whether selling refrigerators, jewelry, or the good news of Jesus Christ.Jack is survived by his loving wife, Martha and his devoted three children,Jack Jr. and his wife, Lisa, their sons, Joe and Chris James of Oklahoma City.His only daughter, Leesa and her husband Bill Lewis of Tyler, TX, their children, Skyler Lewis of Cordova, AK, Ens. Spencer Sheridan Lewis, USCG, Cordova, AK and Statler Lewis of Tyler, TX.His son, Jeff and his wife, Christie of Oklahoma City, their sons, Jace James of Atlanta, GA and Carson and his wife, Katelin James of Oklahoma City and their precious children, his only great-grands.Jack wanted others to know his Savior. Do you?Finally, one of the many bible verses Jack loved to share,"Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."Psalm 90:10, NIV