James Albert Wates

James Albert Wates passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, in Springer, Oklahoma. A lifelong resident of Carter County, he was born February 19, 1940, in Gene Autry, Oklahoma.  He was the tenth of eleven children born to Nora Ola Roberts Wates and Lenars “Peter” Wates.  

            His childhood was spent in a rural farm environment with memories of his parents loving, guiding, and nurturing him and his siblings in every aspect that they could.  They instilled a strong work ethic, faith, and a love of family as they grew.  There were fond memories of watching the trains come by their home, especially the passenger trains that would throw the newspapers from different cities and everyone crowding around listening to a battery-powered radio until it went down.

            In 1954, the family circle was broken – changed when his mother passed away on his 14th birthday.  His dad did his best to ease the pain and continued to be supportive and loving to him and his youngest brother.  

            He got his first job as a caddy at Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore, Oklahoma, which opened opportunities for other jobs as he had a desire to have his own spending money.  He continued working side jobs until he graduated from Gene Autry High School, Class of 1959.  Not long after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army doing a 2-year tour of duty in Gelnhausen, Germany and surrounding areas where he obtained the rank of Corporal and received a Marksman Badge as a Sharpshooter with Field Artillery.   Upon honorable discharge from military service, he returned home to Gene Autry, Oklahoma. He found employment with Stromberg-Carlson, a division of General Dynamics where he was promoted to Supervisor of the department that built and assembled telephone relay equipment.  He remained in this position for 20 plus years until the plant closed.  Upon the closing of the plant, he found work as a Crude Operator with Total Petroleum/Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Oil Company, which later became Valero Oil Refinery in Ardmore, Oklahoma. 

            After being introduced by a friend, he met and married Carolyn Miles of Boswell, Oklahoma – his wife of 53 years.  He became the father to daughter Ramona Lachele and sons, Daryl Vaughn and Jerald Allan Wates. One of the real joys of his life was his family.  He did his best to provide for them, to encourage them, support them and help them to become their best in the many facets of their lives. 

            He never got away from his roots – always having a love for the land, especially raising livestock and horses, which he did part-time until his retirement.  Now he plunged into and began to do the things that he loved.  The grandchildren stole his heart; he was always looking forward to their visits, especially on holidays.  He spent time teaching them to drive in the pasture, and how to care for the animals and other chores for the farm.  One of his favorite pastimes was watching Western movies, especially black and white ones, and basketball/football games were enjoyed at playoff times.  

Preceding him in death are his parents, Nora Ola Roberts Wates and Lenars “Peter” Wates; a son, Daryl Vaughn Miles Wates; a granddaughter, Amaris Barika Brackeen; siblings: Luther (L.C.), Claudia Johnson, Olen, Louise Richardson, Odis, Willie, Evelyn Freeman, Freddie Crayton, and Shirley Jo Wates.   

            He leaves to forever cherish his memory his wife Carolyn, of the home, a daughter, Ramona Lachele, of Bedford, Texas and a son, Jerald Allan, of the home in Springer, Oklahoma and his brother, Lyndal Frank Wates, Gene Autry, Oklahoma; Grandchildren: Samantha Eddins, Arlington, Texas; Joshua Brackeen, Bixby, Oklahoma; D’Angelo Brackeen, North Richland Hills, Texas; Obadiah Brackeen (Genesis), Coconut Creek, Florida.  Great Grandchildren: Gabrielle, Yasmine, Arden, and Amaris Elizabeth. Sister-in-laws: Dorothy Debose-Boyd, Dallas, Texas and Lillie Emery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Brother-in-laws: Rev. Cecil Miles (Mattie), Los Angeles, California and Thurman Miles (Elizabeth), Arlington, Texas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.  He loved his family and will be sorely missed.

Funeral Services will be held at Christ Community Church, Ardmore, Oklahoma at 2 pm Saturday, July 19, 2025.  A time of visitation and reflection will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, from 6 – 8 pm at Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home, 2118 S Commerce St, Ardmore, Oklahoma       . 

            Cremation-With-Care provided by Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory where online condolences for the family may be left at www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com.