Hershel Roy James

Mid afternoon on October 31, 2015, Hershel Roy James peacefully slipped away at his home in Harrah, Oklahoma. Hershel was surrounded by his family and watching the Oklahoma State Cowboys triumph to victory at the time of his passing. Hershel was 79 years old. Hershel was born in the town of Sardis in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma on November 2, 1935. He was the second child, of Ruby Mildred Lockhart and Clyde Roy James. Hershel spent his late teens working for the Carpenter’s Union of Oklahoma City, restoring old buildings downtown. In 1954, he graduated from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City. He attended Central State University for one semester in the fall of ‘54 before being recruited by Tinker Air Force base to work as a computer engineer. He wanted it to be known how thankful he was to have been given the opportunity at Tinker. It afforded him a good job, allowing him to provide for and raise a family full of love. During his time at Tinker, he began building his dream home on an acreage in Harrah, Oklahoma. Following his retirement from Tinker in fall of ‘90, Ray Gundy and Don Johnson helped him set up a weed control and fertilization company that is still in operation today. Outside of his professional careers, Hershel was an avid outdoorsman. From a young age, he spent many days bird hunting and many nights coon hunting. He had a great love and passion for the dogs that accompanied him on these hunts and developed more hunting friendships than you could count. In addition to his passion for hunting, Hershel was a cattleman, horseman, and greatly enjoyed mule riding. Above all, Hershel was the rock of his family, and never missed an opportunity to be the best husband, dad, and papa. Hershel was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Jean James; his brother, Bernard Carl James; his parents, Ruby and Clyde James; his first wife and soul mate of 47 years, Helen LaVoice Saylors; his son Dennis Roy James; and his second wife and true companion of nearly 7 years Mary E. McElwee. Hershel is survived by his sister, Naomi June Bowerman, Moore, OK; brother, Haskell Ray James, Harrah, OK; sister, Dolores Jane Burpo, Moore, OK; daughter Debbie James-Kirk, Harrah, OK; daughter-in-law, Tami James, Edmond, OK; grandchildren, Dacia Rhea Selph, and her husband, Zac Selph, Piedmont, OK; Jacob James-Arther, Stillwater, OK; Derek Roy James, Edmond, OK; Rachel Christine James, Edmond, OK; Levi James Kirk, Harrah, OK; great-grandchildren Makinlee Denise Selph and Zoey Michelle Selph, Piedmont, OK; and many other relatives and friends. Hershel loved and was loved by many. He requested that all of his friends and loved ones be “fed well” at the celebration of his life. Therefore, lunch will be served at noon on Saturday, November 7th, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Harrah, with Memorial Services following at 2:00 P.M. at the Asa Smith Memorial Chapel, 2039 Tim Holt Dr., Harrah, OK 73045. Services are under the direction of Smith-Parks Funeral Service, Harrah, OK.