James H. (Jim) Pilkington was born on May 13, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Harry and Maxine Pilkington. He passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 after a long battle with emphysema and diabetes.

Jim attended Whittier Elementary and Cleveland Jr. High before graduating from Tulsa Central High School in 1963. He then attended Northeastern Oklahoma State University and The University of Tulsa. He also served his country as a member of the 45 th Infantry Division, advancing to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and having been awarded a Letter of Commendation, as a Graduate with Honor of the Fort Sam Houston Medical School.
Jim's family had a long history of service with the Tulsa Police and Fire Departments, and Jim followed the example of his father, District Fire Chief Harry Pilkington, joining the Tulsa Fire Department in 1966. Jim's Grandfather and Great Uncle had been Chief Officers with the early-day Tulsa Police Department
Jim was also one of the founding members of the Tulsa Fire Department's Rescue and Recovery Team of the 1960s and 1970s, which was comprised of certified scuba divers who volunteered their services during floods, drownings and other water emergencies. During his service with the Fire Department, he attended the Tulsa Police Training Academy and was commissioned as a Police Officer, facilitating his work as a member of the Fire Marshal's Investigation Section. Utilizing that training, Jim investigated and solved a number of arsons and other fire-causes during his service with the Fire Marshal's Office. He taught Fire Investigation classes at various times at the Tulsa Police and Fire Academies and Tulsa Junior College. He retired from the Tulsa Fire Department as an Assistant Fire Marshal, Fire Cause and Origin Investigator, in 1989.

Many years ago, Jim co-owned a dock-floatation business. He later owned a security business, a contract ambulance service and Pilkington Fire Investigations. He continued investigating fires for insurance companies, lawyers and various other entities for 25 years following his retirement from the Tulsa Fire Department. Over those same years, Jim had been a member of Tulsa Firefighters Local 176; the Oklahoma Arson Advisory Council; the Oklahoma Private Investigators Association; the National Association of Fire Investigators; the National Fire Protection Association; the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association; the Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association; the International Firefighters Association; and the International Association of Arson Investigators. He was a past board member of the Oklahoma Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harry Pilkington; brother, Max Pilkington; and grandson, Logan Pilkington. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia (Tallon) Pilkington; son, Michael Sean Pilkington and Wahlea; grandson, Amos Dean Pilkington and Casey; granddaughter, Emma Lee Pilkington; great-granddaughters, Chloe Diane Pilkington, Maci Lynn Pilkington, and Rylee Jo Pilkington; his mother, Maxine (Stewart) Pilkington; sisters Peggy Young and Terry Pilkington; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives; and loving dog companion, Panda.
Jim was a saved Christian and a firm believer in the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4110 S. 100th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com