James (Jim) Terry Sons September 12, 1926 - March 14, 2012 James (Jim) Terry Sons was born on September 12, 1926 in Bennington, Oklahoma. Dad went to be with the Lord and family on March 14, 2012. When Dad was eighteen months old his mother died on July 4, 1928 after giving birth to a son, who also died. Dad was raised by his aunt Myrtle May Sons-Hinds and his father on the family farm. The family then moved to the town of Boswell, Oklahoma. He attended school in a one-room country school in Crowder Springs south of Boswell. Grandpa got sick and Dad quit school in the 8th grade to help on the farm. This was the beginning of Dads love for farming and ranching with his father. When Dad was fifteen he left Oklahoma and headed to Roswell, New Mexico to find work. The government was building the Air Base and he found work in the lumber yard, then moved to the saw mill and finally on the base as a truck driver. During this time Dad met Mrs. Jordan whose construction company was working on the river in Las Cruces, New Mexico. On this job, Dad worked side-by side with German prisoners building the banks of the river. Soon Dad traveled to Hobbs, New Mexico and worked as a roughneck on a steam drilling rig with a wooden derrick. He later returned to Boswell and worked with his dad on the farm. Dad met and married Gladys Mae Cheshier in 1946. Dad was 19 and mom was 15. Dad worked for his father-in-law driving a truck hauling lumber from Little Rock, Arkansas to Texas. In 1948 Dad came to California and worked for Hawkins Ranch, Ed Bartell Farms and DiGiorgio Farms. However, Dad contracted Dust Phenomena and the doctor said he had to get out of farming. So he went back to the oilfields working for TNT Drilling, San Joaquin Drilling, John Heagerstead Drilling and Miller & York Drilling Companies. One day while out eating breakfast, Reese Hylton (owner of Hylton Drilling Co.) came over and asked dad to come and work for him. Dad said "but I already have a job." Reese said he needed help, so Dad went to work for Hylton Drilling on their only rig at that time. Dad worked for Hylton Drilling Co. for 32 years before retiring. Dad loved music. He played guitar at many barn dances growing up. He and his wife, Gladys, formed a family band and traveled Southern and Central California performing in many churches. In the late 60's, Dad took a cut in pay so he could help manage and build a new church outside of Shafter. Working in the oil fields all day, he would go to the church site and work into the night with lights. Dad also helped build Riverview Assembly of God church in Bakersfield and helped his son's build their businesses. Preceded in death by his mother, Rachel Agnes Rich-Sons and Baby Sons, his dad Archie Ray Sons and stepmother Dortha Sons, the Mother of his seven children, Gladys Mae Sons-Woodard, grandsons Bruce Lynn Sons II and Craig Smith. Niece Karen Mead. Survived by seven children, Paulette Knox and husband Harrell, Kathleen Smith and husband Donald, James Terry Sons Jr., Vincent Sons and wife Anita, Vivian Price and husband Fred, Bruce Sons, Dwight Sons and wife Katie Anne. Dad is also survived by six brothers: Weldon, Wayne, Bob, Kenny, Joe and Jarvis Sons, sisters Alma Joy Mead and Ola Mae Moore and their spouses. Brother-in-law & sister-in-law Sonny and Lou Cheshier, and sister-in-law Elva Price. Dad has 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives living in Oklahoma, Texas and California. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 17th at Mission Family Mortuary, at 531 California Ave, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Greenlawn Mortuary on River Boulevard at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 19th. www.bakersfield.com/obits
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Published in Bakersfield Californian from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2012
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