Carl DeWayne James

Carl was born in DeWitt Arkansas on March 1, 1944 to Lloyd and Freda (Herrmann) James. Carl left us on April 7th, 2023. His family moved from Arkansas to Arizona when Carl was four years old. The family later moved to California where he spent his teen age years. He attended high school at Tulare Union High School in Tulare, California. Carl was baptized into The Church of the First Born on April 9, 1961 in Tulare by Brother Melvin Rossiter.

Carl came to Oklahoma in November, 1961, where he lived with his Uncle Fred and Aunt Marie Morris in Oklahoma City, who welcomed him into their home and made him a part of their family. Their children became as brother and sisters to him. This close relationship exists to this day. He was employed by Uncle John's Pancake House in Oklahoma City where he worked as assistant manager. Carl was united in marriage to Wanda Neal on October 27, 1962 in Henryetta, Okla. They made their first home in Oklahoma City. They have two children-Karl DeWayne James and Monty Gene James.

In 1963 Carl and Wanda relocated to Eugene, Oregon for a short time.
Later they moved to Henryetta where they lived for 30 years and raised their family. During that time, Carl worked as a flooring mechanic for Quality Floor Covering Company. He also worked as a meat cutter for Safeway Grocery Stores. Later he began his railroad career of 35 years -- First with Frisco Railway, then later with Burlington Northern Railroad. He retired from the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway in 2004, having served as a brakeman, conductor, and locomotive engineer.

Preceding Carl in death are his parents, Lloyd and Freda (Herrmann) James, one brother Daniel James and wife Judy, one sister Deanie Easter, and an infant granddaughter, Meagan Michell James. Also a special uncle and aunt, Fred and Marie Morris and their daughter Kathy.

Survivors include his wife Wanda, sons Karl "Wayne" and wife Michell of Fulshear Texas, and Monty James of Moore, Oklahoma. Three grandsons, Karl Anthony James and wife Alicia of Newalla, Oklahoma, Taylor James of Ada, Oklahoma and fiancée Sarah Johnston and Kevin James of Waco, Texas. Two granddaughters, Stephanie James Bickle and husband Mike of McCloud, Oklahoma and Clara James of Dallas, Texas. One great-grandson, Benjamin James of Newalla, Oklahoma. Two brothers, Eugene James and wife Anne of Eugene, Oregon and Glenn James of Tucson Arizona. Four sisters, Freda Giblet of Henryetta, Oklahoma, LouEtta Bonds of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Priscilla French of Olympia, Washington and Joyce Easter and husband Keith of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Also special cousins who are as brother and sister to him-Jerry Morris and wife Judy of Wellston, OK and Barbara Morris Terril of Vici, OK. In addition, special friends, Stacy Grady and Sheryl Grady Rodgers of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Carl is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts and many other relatives and friends and brethren in the Lord.


Since boyhood, Carl longed to learn to fly. His dream was realized in 1979 when he obtained his private pilot's license. Carl enjoyed flying for many years. It was his passion. Often adults have reminisced with Carl over the times he took them flying when they were youngsters. Carl was a past president of The Henryetta Flying Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of Twin Lakes Airport in Oklahoma City.

Carl was known for his hospitality. He greatly enjoyed having brethren and friends in for a meal, or as overnight guests. In his declining years, this became less prevalent and he missed having this in his life. Carl and Wanda also thoroughly enjoyed going camping in their RV, especially to church camp.

Carl enjoyed gardening and woodworking especially building cabinets. He was a "handyman" in a variety of areas, and also liked to tinker with cars. He restored a number of classic automobiles including the Pontiac Firebird and the Corvair Spider, as well as several other Corvairs. He was a member of the Corvair Club in Oklahoma City. But his grandchildren were the "true" delight of his life. When the grandchildren came to visit, the first words out of there mouth were usually "where's Grandpa?" If they did not find him in the house, they would head to the hangar. All of the grandkids knew that if Grandpa was not in the house, he would be in the shop tinkering with something. His health in later years prevented this, and he greatly missed working in his shop. But he still loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren's visits until his passing.

Pallbearers will be Danny James, Michael James, Jason James, Lee French, Scott French, and Chad Bonds. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony James, Taylor James, Kevin James, Stephanie James Bickel, Clara James, and Jerry Morris.

Visitation will be from 6:00 - 7:30 PM on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at The Church of the First Born 710 NE 27th Street in Moore, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Integrity Chapel with Thomas Longnecker, officiating and Randy Herring, assisting. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery. Services are under the care and direction of Integrity Funeral Service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl DeWayne James, please visit our floral store.