More detail on this person: Visitation has been scheduled from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. Sunday, February 7, 2021 in the Leonard-Marker Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, February 8 in the Chapel at Leonard-Marker officiated by Pastor Jeff Sloan. Interment will follow in the Bixby Cemetery with full military honors provided by the United States Army. The family respectfully asks those attending services to wear a mask. Tommie Preston James was born on March 21, 1936 in Bixby, OK to A. Harmon James and Thelma Lee (Kilburn) James. He passed from this life on February 2, 2021 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 84 years, 10 months & 12 days. Tom was a graduate of Bixby High School and received his Master's degree from Emory Riddle Aeronautical College in Daytona Beach, FL. He proudly served his country for over 20 years in the United States Army and retired in 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Tom was a very accomplished pilot in the Army and was one of a very small group of pilots from Oklahoma that has ever been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the Vietnam War, Tom flew a Huey helicopter into harm's way to rescue an Army General whose helicopter had gone down in a virtually inaccessible mountainous area. Tom bravely and patiently worked his Huey into the area and accomplished the rescue. The entire story of his commendation may be read at this link, http://www.25thaviation.org/id276.htm He worshipped as a member of the Bixby Free Will Baptist Church and was also active in the Experimental Aircraft Association. Tom had many interests and hobbies which included airplanes, traveling, cooking, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting and anything mechanical. He was a wonderful father to his sons and has left a strong legacy for them to strive toward. He was well loved by many and will be dearly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother; Leon James and 3 sisters; Edna Mae Bennett, Lila Faye Morgan and Jacqueline Martha Brummett. Tom is survived by 2 sons; Todd Preston James of Niceville, FL & Anthony Bryan James and wife Jenny, of Bixby, 1 sister; Yvonne "Bonnie" Hyams of Broken Arrow, grandchildren; Lauren James, Tomas James & Riley Collett along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, military family and longtime friends. Casket bearers are David James, Matt James, Monte Copeland, Darrin Sides, Acencion Olivas and Jimmy Bennett.
Burial information: Bixby Cemetery, Bixby, OK
This information was last updated 06/01/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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