Ronald Lee James

Ronald James, of Checotah, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Muskogee. Ronald was born on December 18, 1954, in Noel, Missouri, the son of Bradley Paul and Louise (Phelan) Gordon. He and his sister, Hattie, were later adopted by Buck and Josie James after the death of his parents. Ronnie attended Maysville Grade School in Maysville, Arkansas, then graduated from Gravette High School, in Gravette, Arkansas in 1972. He pursued a degree in automotive mechanics at Okmulgee Technical College, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, for one year.

Ronnie's early introductions to Jesus and the Bible were from Vacation Bible School and weekly Bible classes at the Maysville Grade School led by volunteer teacher, Miss Peggy Campbell. He was a member of Maysville Missionary Baptist Church from October 1981 until he moved to Oklahoma. He taught the Senior Ladies Sunday School class for several years at Maysville Missionary Baptist Church. The ladies probably did most of the teaching, but they loved having him and appreciated his effort and perspectives. While attending Maysville Missionary Baptist Church, he declined the opportunity to become an ordained deacon and a member of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Gideons due to the effects of severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Ronnie lived in rural Benton County near Maysville, Arkansas for his first 53 years. He then moved to Checotah, Oklahoma, and lived there until his death. On May 25, 1973, he married Pamela Kay Proe at the Onapa Baptist Church. They were happily married for fifty-one years and raised two children together.

Ronnie worked as a mechanic at Tristate John Deere in Southwest City, Missouri, for three years after getting married to Pam. At the same time, he helped his father, Buck James, on the ranch raising chickens and cattle and continued raising cattle until he was unable to do so. At times, he held other jobs like home assembly to ensure that Pam could stay home with their cherished children in their younger years.

Ronnie's family and grandkids were the most important thing to him after his relationship with Jesus. He loved seeing them as often as possible and giving tractor rides or going fishing. Ronnie loved and owned many hot rods, muscle cars, and recently dreamed of building his own Chevy. He liked to go to car shows and drag races and smell the nitromethane and listen to the thunder of the engines. Ronnie enjoyed watching old westerns and listening to Jack Hibbs' sermons and Bible teaching. He enjoyed riding horses, but his favorite hobby was his taking care of his cattle.

Ronnie was a member of Lenna Baptist Church but was currently attending Onapa Baptist because of health limitations. He loved Jesus and was anxious to meet Him.

Survivors include: his wife, Pamela, of the home; son, Kevin James and wife Katie of Salem, MO; daughter, Amanda Pittman and husband Jeff of Vilonia, AR; grandchildren, Tristen James and fiance Sarah Green, of Springfield, MO, Cameron James of Salem, MO, Noah James of Salem, MO, Grant Nickel of Vilonia, AR and great grandson, Austin James of Springfield, MO. He is preceded in death by his sister, Hattie James and his parents, Buck and Josie James.