James "Jim" O'Donnell Zellner

James “Jim” O’Donnell Zellner, 79, of Eufaula passed away Friday, October 19, 2012 at the St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa. Jim was born on August 12, 1933, in Northampton, Pennsylvania, the son of James Zellner and Vivian Lorraine Lindaman. He was adopted and raised by his grandparents Estella and Archie Zellner. In 1951, Jim graduated from Northampton High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hidleburg and later received his master’s degree in Political Science from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1977. Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and retired as a Master Sgt. after more than twenty years of service. Jim worked as a civil engineer for the State of Oklahoma for 15 years. Jim was married to Helen Gregory. He later married Cheryl Covington. On November 29, 1983, Jim married Marie Eleanor Whittle in Oklahoma City. He was a Shriner and served as Worshipful Master at the Broadway Circle Masonic Lodge in Oklahoma City. He was also a member of the National Sojourners at Tinker, of the Eufaula Masonic Lodge #1 and the Indian Shrine. Jim also participated with the Save Our Water group in Eufaula. Jim was a man of many loves. He loved his dogs, feeding the birds, planting trees, dancing the two step around the house and telling his life stories. Family and friends were very important in his life and he spent Sundays calling them on the phone. Preparing bar-be-que for his large family gatherings was a labor of love that brought him great joy. Two years ago, Jim employed a young man, Elias, and their relationship developed into a great love for each other. But…his greatest love of all was for his wife, Marie. Survivors include: his wife, Marie, of the home; his sons, James Zellner & wife Diane of Norman, Fred Zellner & wife Theresa of Burk Burnett, TX, Larry Zellner, Mark Zellner & wife JoAnne, and Jonathan Zellner all of Wichita Falls, TX; his daughters, Marta Morgan & husband Richard of Wichita Falls, TX, Charmine Ellison & husband Jere of Kamay, TX, Nicole Zellner of Shawnee, Vanessa Zellner of Ada; a step daughter MeriAnne Bowman Haynes of OKC and a step son Mathew Bowman & wife Sherry of Oklahoma City; his brothers, Frederick Lindaman and Glenn Lindaman both of Pennsylvania and two sisters Melody Dauberg and Cheryl O’Brien. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.