James Russel Wallen

Jim was born December 25, 1926, in Wetumka, OK, to Bertha and Elijah Wallen. He passed away August 21, 2018. Jim grew up in the Wilburton, OK, area. At a young age, he would work for local farmers and ranchers and learned the value of hard work. He was married to Opal Mae Long. Jim entered the US Army on March 8, 1945, and served in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign in the 42nd Engineer Construction Battalion during WWII. He received an honorable discharge on December 26, 1946, and came to Del City to begin a 36-year career as a draftsman for civil service at Tinker Air Force Base where he maintained one of the first Doppler radar systems for the bombers. He retired in 1985. Jim was a founding member of Grace Bible Church of Del City. There, he drafted the blue prints of the building, helped in the construction, and taught Sunday School. He later attended First Southern Baptist Church for 30 years. He loved woodworking and spending time in his shop. He completed two room additions to his home in Del City where the family lived for 53 years, prior to moving to Oklahoma City, next door to their son and his family about 10 years ago. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Opal, as well as his parents and three siblings. He is survived by his son, Mark and wife Angee; two grandsons, Matthew and Michael; two sisters, Betty McNatt and Fran Cooper both of California; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 10 am at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel. Burial will follow with military honors at Arlington Memory Gardens.