Charles Russell James

Charles Russell James, age 85, of Oklahoma City, OK passed away on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. He was born June 10, 1940, in McAlester, Ok to his beloved parents Otis Scott James and Martha Fae James. The family moved to Norman shortly after when they bought the Norman Bus Lines. They had the bus line all through the war and sold it in 1950. In June of 1950 they moved to Edmond Oklahoma and bought the local Oklahoma Tire and Supply Store (OTASCO). Charles finished grade school, Jr. high and high school in Edmond. He attended Central State University in Edmond and graduated with a business degree in 1962. After graduation he took a job working for the FAA as a contract manager. His work was interrupted when he was drafted in the Army in August of 1963. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the FAA as a contract manager and retired 30 years later. During his time after the Army, Charles and his Brother Jerry got involved with the, Edmond Liberty Fest (Edmond 4th of July Festival and parade). This was a 50-year dedication to giving the City of Edmond a Parade to be proud of. He was on the Liberty Fest Board and parade committee for most of those years. Charles and Jerry recruited a lot of the James's which made it a true family event for him. Charles was very well known in the Edmond community and highly respected as well… This gave Charles a lot of extended family who will forever have wonderful memories and a lot of laughs. He will never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otis and Fae, and Lynette Reeder, mother of his son. He leaves behind his loving wife Barbara; son David James and his wife Rachel; brother Jerry James and his wife Nancy, their daughters, Joanna Barton and husband Greg and Terri Yargee and husband Josh. Stepdaughters Tanya Lasiter and Barbara Elveda Thompson; grandchildren Aiyanna, Makayla, Samantha, Chris, Dustin and wife Laryssa; step-grandchildren Misty, Matthew, Chase, Lyle, and Heather; 21 great-grandchildren as well as many adopted grandchildren and Family friends.