Jonas James Obituary (2014)

Jonas James, 81, beloved father, devoted grandfather and great grandfather, died Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Hill Nursing Home in Idabel. Jonas was born in Broken Bow to Jesse and Iris (McLow) James. Jonas was a resident of Wright City where he lived most of his life. As a young boy, Jonas attended the Goodland Indian School for 8 years. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18, where he proudly served four years (1951-1955) at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona as an air policeman and boxer. Upon returning to McCurtain County, Jonas worked 5 years at Dierks Forests, Inc. and 31 years for Weyerhaeuser as a security guard. He retired in 1995 after 36 years of dedicated service. Not a person to tip-toe through life or beat around the bush, Jonas met life?s challenges and opportunities head on. Jonas believed in being fashionably early, taking care of business and doing things right the first time. He applied himself at all he did. Jonas was a proud Choctaw man who was passionate about three things in life-community service, studying the Bible and family. In the early years of his life, Jonas coached the Wright City Indians Little League team for 14 years with a record of 279 wins and 36 losses. The team won 11 championships and numerous recognitions under his instruction. During his time in the Air Force, Jonas was the welterweight boxing champion (1951-1953) and Arizona Golden Glove champion with an impressive record of 52 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. He took his knowledge and lessons learned in the ring and produced a winning boxing team. During his short span as a boxing coach, Jonas produced two state champions and three runners-up. Retirement opened a new chapter in his life. For a number of years, Jonas dedicated his time in sharing his love for God and the Bible by ministering to young and old alike. He was especially fond of visiting nursing homes and bringing the Word to Choctaw elders and singing Choctaw hymns. As a young man Jonas dreamed of visiting the Holy Land and fulfilled this dream when he traveled there in 1998. Jonas? greatest joy came from spending time with family and watching his grandkids play sports. Over the years, he collected a wealth of newspaper write-ups of their accomplishments. He was extremely proud of all of them. He also took pleasure in the quiet moments found working in his garden and yard or going for a drive down a country road. Jonas will be greatly missed. His spirit is carried on by his 11 children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jonas was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Iris James, wife Louise, his sister Kathy, children Jeremiah, Daryl, Jonathan, and grandchild Tanisha. Jonas is survived by sister, Shirley, children, Joni, Iris, Johanson, Joyce, Donna, Lillie, Johanson Lee, Javier, Ireta, Jonell and Jakki. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tamiko, Jeremiah, Marissa, Deirdre, Deon, Jon, Holly, Joyce Marie, Alexander, Bree Ann, Morgan, Justin, Jonathan, Zane, Ryan, Cara, Courtland and Krista; great-grandchildren TaMia, TaMiah, Taylon, Demesia, Karis Jade, Mika Sage, Jayden and Aiyana; brothers-in-law Tom and Howard; sons-in-law Lonnie and Gary, and daughter-in-law Angie and granddaughter-in-law, Rachel. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Joy Hill and the staff at Hill Nursing Home of Idabel. Thank you all for the kindness and tender care you have provided to our Dad.Cemetery:Kulli Chio Cemetery, Broken Bow, OK To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jonas James, please visit our floral store.