Obituary for James “Jimbo” Potter

James Earnest Potter

January 31, 1960 – July 6, 2022

James “Jimbo” Potter, age 62, of Red Rock, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord on July 6, 2022, at OU Medical Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Frontier Auditorium in Red Rock with Pastor’s Dan Thimell, Peter Olsen, and Jimmy Kenner officiating. Jim will be laid to rest at Red Rock Cemetery following the service.

Jim was born on January 31, 1960, in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Claude and Vera (Hauser) Potter. Jim grew up in Red Rock and graduated from Red Rock High School in 1978.

Jim was always willing to step up and serve in his community where he was needed. He was honored to serve the Town of Red Rock for 20 years, 17 of those years as the Mayor, and the last 2 years as the Water Superintendent. He served his community as Assistant fire chief at Red Rock Fire Department for several years before receiving a 30-year retirement plaque, but continued to stay very active to all fire calls.

Jim had a gift for giving and gabbing and would help anyone in need, any time of the day. Jim spent many years working for local farmers, in the oil field, at Ditch Witch in Perry, and operating the Potter Tree Service. He appreciated being a part of the local agricultural community.

Jim had many joys in life especially following and supporting his children and grandchildren in all their 4-H, FFA, and all sporting events. Jim loved hunting, fishing, watching westerns and especially dirt roading and playing in the MUD, he loved throwing “Rooster Tails” and passed that joy onto his kids and especially grandkids. His time with his grandkids was truly his greatest moments whether it was watching movies, playing checkers, or wrestling on the floor.

Survivors include: his children, Travis and wife Jessica Potter of Red Rock, Mandee and husband Jerry Yarberry, of Ada, and their mother, Anne (Kukuk) Potter; grandchildren, Bayley and Bryson Walker of Flora, IL, Abigail and Talen Potter of Red Rock, OK, and Jandree & Ranger Yarberry of Ada, OK; mother of his daughter Debbie, Kris Beguin French; brother, Jerry Potter; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews of the Hauser, Potter, Welch and Kukuk families; and many wonderful friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Vera Potter; stepmother, Delia Potter; daughter, Deborah Anne (Potter) Gertsch; sister-in-law, Jana Potter; nephew, Hesten Potter; great-niece, Hannah Kukuk; and in laws, Herman and Audrey Kukuk and Jerrold Beguin.

Pallbearers will be Cody Sullins, Barry Lane, Jerry Yarberry, DJ Linn, Gail Makovec, Randy Gum, and Darren Lane. Honorary Pallbearers will be his 6 grandchildren, Jerry Potter, Ron Norton, Steve Sullins, Vernon Tohee, Brady Robinson, Tommy Petty, Sid Ingmire, Bryon Dewayne Phipps, Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department, and Red Rock Town Board.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077. Memorial contributions may be made to Red Rock Rural Fire Dept. for Truck Maintenance in care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th St., Perry, Oklahoma 73077. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Jim at www.troutperry.

Source: Trout Funeral Home