Obituary for James Page

Ponca City Now - June 9, 2016 12:00 am

James Page – Veteran

(October 26, 1925 – June 6, 2016)

James (Jim) L. Page, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 6, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born in Kaw City, Oklahoma, on October 26, 1925 to Herbert Vann and Josephine Anderson Page. While still very young the family moved to Ponca City, where he attended Jefferson grade school, East Junior High and St. Mary’s High School.

In 1942 he met the love of his life and on April 30, 1943 at the ages of 17 and15, Jim and Lucy Vannest ran off to Winfield, KS and got married, not telling anyone. A few months later, upon turning 18 years of age, he joined the service, serving two years from November 1943 to December 1945, in Co A, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and over the Rhine river. Wounded twice he received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

Upon being discharged and returning home, he and Lucy were blessed with the birth of two sons, Van and Gary, of which they couldn’t have been any prouder. He loved his family dearly and told them often how much they were loved. He worked for Smith International for 33 years as a supervisor. Jim loved dancing, traveling and especially doing these things with his friends and family. He always said he had everything he wanted in life, except for one thing, to learn how to fly a plane. Lucy objected to this idea so he said that he would jump from planes instead of flying them.

Funeral services are planned for 2:00 PM, Friday, June 10, 2016 at Trout Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery with Military Honors. Pallbearers will be Brian Page, Justin Vogele, Jim Page, Jon Page, Jason Page, and Dillon Page.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy of 73 years, his sons, Van and Judi Page, and Gary and Donna Page. Grandchildren include Jason and Kim Page, Lori and Justin Vogele, and Brian Page all of Ponca City, Jim and Traci Page of Broken Arrow and Jon and Bobbie Page of Stillwater.

Great-grandchildren include Van Page, U.S. Coast Guard, Savannah Page of Broken Arrow, Tyler and Cauy Vogele, Jacob and Hannah Page, Juan and Elizabeth Hall, Gavin and Chloe Page all of Ponca City, Brenden and Ellanie Page of Stillwater and Dillon Page of Oklahoma City.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church.