James A. Alspaugh

James "Jim" A. Alspaugh passed away peacefully at home in Tulsa on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. He was 93 years old. A native Tulsan, Jim was born at the family home on January 4, 1925 to Frank and Oma Alspaugh. While attending Kendall Elementary School, he joined a Boy Scout troop, a membership and passion that remained throughout his life. Jim graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1942, attended OU and was drafted to the Army in 1943. Owing to his high aptitude, he was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program and attended Heidelberg University during training. He was seriously wounded on December 11, 1944 in Linnich, Germany, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal of Valor for refusing aid until his mission was completed. In 1949, Jim graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Business Administration. On July 3, 1950, he married Emily Culley Dean at First Christian Church in Tulsa. Their family included a daughter and three sons. With a knack for numbers, he exceled as an accountant, office manager and financial supervisor for oil, space and pipeline engineering firms -- Deep Rock Oil, Kerr-McGee, North American Aviation, Williams Bros. and ARCO. Jim always lived his faith with a deep commitment to service and found fulfillment volunteering for numerous causes including Habitat for Humanity, Angel Food Ministries, Boy Scouts of America, speaker and secretary for All Veterans Association of Tulsa, an active member of First Christian Church of Tulsa, and secretary of the 102nd Infantry Division Association Scholarship Committee. He particularly enjoyed speaking at local schools to educate children about WWII. For his dedication he received several awards, including the first Eagle District Legacy Award in his Tulsa for a lifetime of service to the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Beaver, and ARCO's Volunteer of the Year Award. Later in life, Jim found a deep satisfaction participating in veterans' organizations. He cherished the friendships he made in the 102nd Infantry Division Association and always looked forward to the annual reunion. Locally, he was active in All Veterans Association of Tulsa. With a lifelong love of learning, he had many interests including reading, cooking, photography and nature. He never missed the Sunday comics, and especially loved Calvin and Hobbes. To all who knew him, Jim was wise, kind, compassionate, humble, patriotic and faithful. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his children Don (Grace) Dean, Betsy (Bill) Richert, John (Michelle) Alspaugh, Lawrence (Debbie) Alspaugh and his step-daughter, Lydia Lewis; his grandchildren Jamie Jones, Megan Buchan, Lara Sheppard, John Richert, Sara Parsons, Kari Alspaugh, Lawson Alspaugh, Emma Alspaugh, and Emily Alspaugh, and 12 great-grandchildren. Jim is preceded in death by wife Emily Culley Alspaugh, wife Evelyn Jean Alspaugh; his parents, Frank and Oma Alspaugh, and his four sisters, Eva Fulbright, Dorothy Primeau, Edna London, and Ellen Elkins. The family will receive visitors at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home in Tulsa on Sunday, August 19, 2018 4-6pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 20th at 10:00 a.m. at Harvard Avenue Christian Church of Tulsa, with Reverend Mark Briley presiding. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Jim Alspaugh to Tulsa Habitat For Humanity or Indian Nations Council Boy Scouts. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

James A. Alspaugh

January 4, 1925 - August 14, 2018