James "Jim" WIlkinson was born June 8, 1923 in Muskogee Oklahoma.

Jim was part of the Greatest generation. He enlisted in the Army in the A.S.T.P. program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Specialized_Training_Program . His father and grandfather also served in the military. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M College with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He loved his OSU Cowboys. He was self-employed and worked for W. R. Holway and Associates. He mentored several engineers including his good friend Buddy Morse.

Jim had a great smile. He loved a good joke and had a wry sense of humor. He was a faithful and loyal person. He taught Sunday school, loved his Lord Jesus and knew the scriptures. He was patient and kind.

Jim loved music. He played the clarinet at OSU with the Varsitonian's dance band to help pay for school. He raised beagles for several years. After Jim retired, he was member of the Green Country Model Railroad Association of Bixby, OK. Jim was a lifelong learner. He learned Spanish when his daughter moved to Puerto Rico-so he could converse with the residents. He practiced his Spanish for years after in every Mexican restaurant he visited, with the people that helped clean his home, etc. He loved his Apple computer. He was able to keep in touch with his children, grandchildren, high school/college classmates and many other friends.

Peggy and Jim met through square dancing and shared 30 wonderful years together. They loved to travel with their friends George and Vivian. Jim faithfully supported Peggy as she became an LPN and while she practiced her career. They squared danced, enjoyed the local culinary scene (when Peggy wasn't cooking or baking) and shared a spiritual love for God and Jesus. Everywhere Jim and Peggy went they made friends with anyone they met learning about their families and endearing them with their smiles and genuine interest in their lives. From their doctors to the people at their regular restaurants-we always heard "we just love your mom and dad; they are so sweet."

Jim has one daughter, Linda Abell and a grandson Preston. Jim had several bonus children and grandchildren and great grandchildren-Katie Schroeder (Carl), Troy Warriner (Elizabeth), and Amy Warriner. The grandchildren & great-grandchildren loved Poppa Jim and he deeply and quietly loved them back. Their good friends Shirlene and Guerro and their 4 children were their in-town grandchildren.

Jim reluctantly followed Peggy to Assisted Living at The Parke in the fall of 2019.

He entered Encompass hospice in November 2020-they were a great comfort to Jim and his family. We all prayed for relief from his travails and wished him a speedy journey to heaven. He passed peacefully to heaven on Friday evening January 15, 2021. The Parke the staff loved and treated Jim like he was their own father, especially Rhonda, Shelly, and Rachel who gave great attention to his physical needs and comfort. He donated his earthly body to OSU Medical School. He will be the first patient and first teacher to these medical students. Now his hearing is restored, there is no more pain in his back or neck, he can see clearly with those beautiful brown eyes and has a great smile on his face as he lives with Jesus.

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!

Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on Friday, May 7th, 2021 at Moore Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E 51st St, Tulsa, OK 74145


In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to one of Jim's favorite organizations: John 3:16 Mission or the Salvation Army.