James Blaine Slemp

James Blaine Slemp of Gracemont, Oklahoma, known locally as J.B. or Jake was born July 23, 1922 in Jonesville, Virginia to Henry Clinton Slemp and Addie Mae Warner Slemp. The family moved to Oklahoma following a doctor's advice regarding J.B.'s health. It was good advice as he lived to the age of 94, passing away Saturday, December 31st, 2016 in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

J.B. saw many changes during his life in Caddo County. He began farming at a young age, and talked about walking behind horses and a plow at the age of 12. School was sporadic after that but he was able to do math quicker in hes head than most could with a pencil and paper. He was a historian of local history, and could recall names and events concerning people he had known, including some thing that they might have chosen to forget. When he met someone, he'd ask their name and before long knew someone they were kin to or had been married to, and where they had lived.

He married Wanda Lee Davis, July 24, 1943 and to this union was born three daughters and a son. The marriage lasted just 3 months shy of their 68th year.

J.B. made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ in the spring of 1945 at a small church revival.

He served 15 months in the Army in 1945-46, serving as a heavy machinery operator, clearing runways, and making roads up the mountains to caves on the islands where the Japanese had stored ammunition. He shared many times of the icy conditions they endured as they cleaned out the caves and cleared runways each morning for the planes. He took advantage of some GI training after being discharged.

He farmed with mules until he sold his favorite mare and applied the money toward a used International-Farmall tractor. Thus began his career as a mechanic, as he would tear the tractors down and put them back together by himself if at all possible.

He was practical but frugal as most born of his generation learned to be. A farmer to his core, it was very hard for him to give up his cattle and equipment and he did not do so until 2015.

he was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Letcher, Clinton, Gene, and Anna V., Wanda his wife, and a grandson, James Matthew Slemp.

He is survived by his children: Judith Hawkins of Anadarko, Carolyn Guthrie (Ken), Jane Rider-West (Ted) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and James Richard Slemp of Chickasha, Oklahoma. Grandchildren: Brad Hawkins and wife Julie of Cushing, Oklahoma, April Dawkins and husband Clint of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Blaine Rider and wife Kendra of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Tiffany Duval and husband Jay of Denham Springs, Louisiana. Great-grandchildren: Jamie Rouintree and husband Jeremy of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Andrea Hawkins of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Haley and Caitlyn Dawkins of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Gwen, Graham, and Nora Rider of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Isabelle and SAM Duval of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Lyndy Slemp of Council Hill, Oklahoma, and Destiny Slemp-Oliver of Adamsville, Alabama. Great, great grand-daughter, Oakleigh Rouintree, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Two sisters, Bernice Vandeventer of Gracemont, Oklahoma and Mildred Leonard and husband Max of Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Pall bearers will be Justin Savage, David Savage, Mark Slemp, Leldon Birch, Eddie Granger, and Justin Wakefield.
Honorary Pall bearers will be grandsons and nephews.

Viewing for J.B. will be Monday, January 2, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, January 3, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Funeral Services for J.B. will be Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lost Cowboy Church north of Gracemont, Oklahoma.

Funeral services are under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Anadarko, Oklahoma.