James Thurman King

Healdton - Home Going services for longtime Healdton resident, Mr. James Thurman King, 96, of Healdton are scheduled for 2:00 PM Friday October 4, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Healdton with Rev. Mike Johnston and Dr. Bob Cloyde officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Olive Cemetery of Healdton with military honors. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Healdton, 65 Golf Course Rd.

James was born on January 4, 1923 at Bromide to the late Mr. Hollie King and Mrs. Euna Mae (Francisco) King. He departed this life on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at his home in Healdton.

James was raised on a farm in Bromide where he attended and graduated High School. After graduating, he continued to live on the farm helping his father raise cotton. At the age of 21 he joined the United States Army and soon was deployed to New Guinea and Netherlands. His company was some of the first to land in battle mainly as part of the search light division.

After James was honorably discharged he returned home for a short period of time before he attended Business College at Ardmore, where he learned to type and took office management classes. While in Ardmore he worked for Colbert's Dairy on the dock loading out milk. James was saved and baptized into the First Baptist Church of Ardmore and also married Helen Caldwell there in September 16, 1951. They were married for 36 years before Helen preceded him in death in 1987. They were blessed with one daughter named Karen who also passed away on June 11, 2017.

James began working for Halliburton in 1950, working in Ardmore for 6 years then moving to Healdton Halliburton yard and working 29 more years as office manager and lead dispatcher. He retired from Halliburton in 1985. James married Delphia Denney on April 4, 1988. They continued to make their home in Healdton and enjoyed traveling and visiting a lot of places in the United States. Delphia's children are Gayle, Brenda, Bobbie, Valerie and Michael. James loved these kids as if they were his own and they all loved him in return.

Delphia preceded him in death on April 2, 2010 and all of his family still continued to get together every Sunday.
James was well known for always having pecan trees in his back yard and loved to share those good crops with all the people in the town and at the First Baptist Church. He was a longtime member of the Healdton First Baptist Church.

Also preceding him in death are his parents; infant sister, Thelma; brother, Henry; sisters Loretta Norman and Jetta Mae McRae.

Survivors include his grandsons, Michael Mayberry and wife Kimeka of Celina, TX and James Mayberry and wife Samantha of Prosper, TX; granddaughter, Melissa Dewlen and husband Seth of Albuquerque, NM; five great grandchildren; his other children from Delphia include, Bobbie Bailey and husband Bo of Crowder, Gayle Langley and husband Don of Milo, Michael Pierce of Ardmore, Brenda Waller and husband Kevin of Crowder and Valerie Hatley and husband Ken of Frisco, TX; 16 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; nieces, Susie Norman and Carol Norman and nephews, Bob King and Jr. King; also neighbors, Gary and Linda Giles, Barbara Dobbs and friend Pat Jennings who all have been like angels sent to James; and lastly Encompass Home Health for all their kind felt care and support.

Casket Bearers are James Mayberry, Michael Mayberry, Seth Dewlen, Dalton Langley, Dillon Langley, Brandon Albrightson and Hayden Hatley.

Honorary bearers are all the other grandsons.

Family visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm at the Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Healdton, 65 Golf Course Rd.

Condolences may be sent online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org