Ira Crossland "Jim" James

James Ira "Jim" Crossland, longtime Newkirk resident and businessman, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, 2014 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 80.

The son of Garner Ray Crossland and Maggie Almeda Strickland Crossland, Jim was born Dec. 6, 1933 at Hulbert, Okla. He grew up and received his early education in Altus, and he graduated from Altus High School with the class of 1952. Following graduation he attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, for a year. He then transferred to Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater where he graduated.

While in college in Stillwater, Jim met Diane Virginia Rigdon, and they were married Dec. 15, 1956 in Tulsa. They established their first home in Yale where he had been hired to coach and teach. He then went to Hominy where he was head coach at the age of 23. Other schools in which he coached included Woodward; Eastern Oklahoma A&M at Wilburton; Texas Western College, now University of Texas El Paso; South Park High School in Beaumont, Tex.; Port Neches (Tex.) High School; and Little Cypress-Mauriceville in Orange County, Tex. From there they went to Chicago where he coached the World Football League, and then to Canyon, Tex. and West Texas State A&M. When they moved to Ponca City, Jim left coaching and purchased the Rigdon Ford dealership from his father-in-law. In 1977 they moved to Newkirk where they have since resided.

Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Newkirk and a sessions member. He was a member and past president of the Newkirk Rotary Club. A member of Gamma Delta Chapter-Sigma Chi fraternity, he was past president and served on the house corporation board. He was a member and past president of the Ponca City Country Club. He had been a member and past president of the Oklahoma Lincoln Mercury Dealers Association. He served on the governing board for Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital. He had served as a board member and past president of the Ford Dealers Advertising Association. He was a past board member of the Opportunity Center. He was recipient of the most prestigious award with Ford, the Ford President's Award. He was also recipient of the OADA President's Award and a number of other awards. He also received recognition for a hole-in-one with a five iron, Hole #6, Par 3, 150 yards on Aug. 6, 2000 at the Ponca City Country Club. Jim enjoyed golf, and OSU football and basketball. He was a profoundly avid reader, often having more than one book going at a time. He enjoyed attending social events and relished being around people. He liked his work and almost always put in a six day week. Most of all, Jim loved his family.

He is survived by Diane, his wife of almost 58 years; his children, Ray and Stacy Crossland of Rockwall, Texas, and Ann and Marty Morgan of Tulsa; a brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Cheryl Crossland of Mangum; six grandchildren, Connor, Lisa Kay and Caden James Crossland, and Taylor Driskill, Kyle Morgan and Dylon Morgan; and a number of nephews and nieces.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 in the First United Methodist Church of Newkirk. Interment will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery. Miller-Stahl Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

The body will lie in state at the funeral home Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. The family will be at home at 207 S. Magnolia Ave., Newkirk.

Memorial funds have been established with the Newkirk High School Athletic Department and with the First Presbyterian Church. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Mr. Crossland's name to either through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk 74647-0468