Gary Ray James' Obituary
Gary Ray James, 80, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's.
Born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on May 31, 1945, to Ray and Lucille (Williams) James, Gary grew up with a deep love of family, hard work, and laughter. After graduating from Earlsboro High School, he proudly served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany as a helicopter mechanic. That experience led to a lifelong career with American Airlines, where he worked for 35 years-first as an aircraft mechanic and later as an aircraft inspector. Gary was immensely proud of his time at American Airlines and loved the travel that came with it, often using his flight perks to visit the mountains to ski or the beach to relax.
Gary met the love of his life, Sharon, through their shared love of soccer in Bixby, Oklahoma, where he was raising his two sons. They married and shared 48 wonderful years together-true soulmates in every sense. Together they raised five children-Kim, Angie, Randy, Brad, and Mark-in Bixby, where soccer was truly a family affair. Gary played, coached, and refereed for many years and was honored to be chosen as Bixby High School's first soccer coach who was not employed by the school for their inaugural program. True to his generous spirit, he used his small coaching stipend to buy warmups for his players when they weren't provided. His influence reached countless young athletes through Bixby Soccer, Broken Arrow Soccer, and various Club soccer teams..
The family's years in the Willow Springs neighborhood were filled with friendship, laughter, and community-especially with close neighbors like the Beville family and Gary's sister, Vicki, and her family. Gary and Sharon were devoted University of Tulsa fans and faithfully attended football and basketball games with Sharon's parents.
Later, they moved to Grand Lake, Oklahoma, where they joined the fun-loving "Boat and Bottle Cove" group and spent many happy years boating, fishing, and enjoying life with wonderful neighbors. In 2003, Gary and Sharon retired to Lake Kiowa, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Gary embraced retirement with joy-playing golf often, participating in the Kiwanis Club, serving on the Water Board, and cherishing the many great friends they made there. They spent countless days driving to and from their grandchildren's many activities. That time together was so meaningful that Gary became "Papa Gary" not only to his own grandchildren, but to many of their friends as well.
After Gary was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's in September 2022, he and Sharon moved to Bedford to be near their daughters. These three selflessly dedicated countless hours to caring for him. Gary most recently lived at Brookdale Creekside Memory Care, where he received exceptional, loving care for which the family is deeply grateful. Sharon faithfully visited Gary every single day, while Angie was a constant and devoted presence, making sure her dad always looked sharp with regular moustache trims and haircuts. Frequent visits from Kim, Jeff, Randy, and Gary's grandchildren lifted Gary's spirits and brought great joy throughout Brookdale.
Gary was preceded in death by his cherished son, Bradley James Constantine; his parents, Ray and Lucille James; his brother, Mike James; and his godson, Justin James Archambo.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon; daughters Kim Constantine Spain (Bill) and Angie Constantine Simpson (Jeff); sons Randy James (Molly) and Mark James (Betty); and his adoring grandchildren-Taylor James (Brooke), Bradley Vinez (Katherine), Alexandra Vinez, Jordan James (Kayla), and Carly Spain Betz (Noah)-who all loved their Papa so very much. He also leaves behind two great-grandsons, Sutter and Luca James.
Additionally, Gary is survived by his siblings Vicki Birchall (Craig), Lary James (Janie), and Connie DeLeon; his sister-in-law, Debbie James; and many loving nieces and nephews-including Jennifer Bradley McAllister, who faithfully visited her favorite uncle every Wednesday during his year in memory care.
Gary will be remembered for his Hulk Hogan-lookalike hair and moustache, his kindness, loyalty, and unwavering devotion to his family and friends. Those who knew him best will never forget his familiar catchphrases-"Gosh Dog" and "Hey Boo Boo"-which perfectly captured his easygoing warmth and humor. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the love he gave so freely. He likely never realized just how many lives were impacted by his generosity, selflessness, and compassion.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Brookdale Creekside-Pretty, Theresa, Bertha, Hygenius, Odette, and many others-and to Angel Hands Hospice, particularly Gary's aide, Simon, and nurse, Amie, for their gentle and devoted care this past year.
Gary is SO loved, he gets TWO Celebrations of Life!!
Gary's Oklahoma Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 4, at 3:00 p.m. at Bixby-South Tulsa Funeral Service, 13307 S. Memorial Dr., Bixby, OK.
An additional Celebration of Life will take place in Plano, Texas, on Monday, January 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Oak Point Park Nature & Retreat Center, 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX.
Interment at the DFW National Cemetery will follow Gary's private military funeral.
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