Carl D. James, a resident of Moore, died April 7, 2023 in Moore at the age of 79. He was born in DeWitt Arkansas March 1, 1944 to Lloyd and Freda (Herrmann) James.
His family moved from Arkansas to Arizona when Carl was four years old. The family later moved to California where he spent his teen age years. He attended high school at Tulare Union High School in Tulare, California. Carl was baptized into The Church of the First Born on April 9, 1961 in Tulare by Brother Melvin Rossiter.
Carl came to Oklahoma in November, 1961, where he lived with his uncle Fred and aunt Marie Morris in Oklahoma City. He was employed by Uncle John's Pancake House in Oklahoma City where he worked as assistant manager. Carl was united in marriage to Wanda Neal Oct. 27, 1962 in Henryetta. They made their first home in Oklahoma City.
In 1963 Carl and Wanda relocated to Eugene, Oregon for a short time.
Later they moved to Henryetta where they lived for 30 years and raised their family. During that time, Carl worked as a flooring mechanic for Quality Floor Covering Company. He also worked as a meat cutter for Safeway Grocery Stores. Later he began his railroad career of 35 years, first with Frisco Railway, then later with Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired from the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway in 2004, having served as a brakeman, conductor, and locomotive engineer.
Preceding Carl in death are his parents, Lloyd and Freda (Herrmann) James, one brother Daniel James and wife Judy, one sister Deanie Easter, and an infant granddaughter, Megan Michell James. Also a special uncle and aunt, Fred and Marie Morris and their daughter Kathy.
Survivors include his wife Wanda, sons Karl "Wayne" and wife Michell of Fulshear Tex., and Monty James of Moore; three grandsons, Karl Anthony James and wife Alicia of Newalla, Taylor James of Ada and fiancée Sarah Johnston and Kevin James of Waco, Tex.; two granddaughters, Stephanie James Bickle and husband Mike of McCloud and Clara James of Dallas, Tex; great-grandson, Benjamin James of Newalla; two brothers, Eugene James and wife Anne of Eugene, and Glenn James of Tucson Ariz.; four sisters, Freda Giblet of Henryetta, LouEtta Bonds of Okmulgee, Priscilla French of Olympia, Washington and Joyce Easter and husband Keith of Sapulpa; also special cousins who are as brother and sister to him-Jerry Morris and wife Judy of Wellston, and Barbara Morris Terril of Vici; in addition, special friends, Stacy Grady and Sheryl Grady Rodgers of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Carl is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts and many other relatives and friends and brethren in the Lord.
Pallbearers will be Danny James, Michael James, Jason James, Lee French, Scott French, and Chad Bonds. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony James, Taylor James, Kevin James, Stephanie James Bickel, Clara James, and Jerry Morris.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at The Church of the First Born 710 NE 27th Street in Moore.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Integrity Chapel with Thomas Longnecker, officiating and Randy Herring, assisting. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Integrity Funeral Service.