James Richard Wall

1936-2023

James Richard Wall was born on January 5, 1936, in Dallas, Texas, to Perry and Edith Wall. He passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, at 87 years of age.

He had a happy childhood, playing ball with the other boys in the neighborhood, exploring the drainage tunnels under the streets, fishing, and hunting.

What Jim did, he did well. His skills as a mechanical engineer and determination to excel resulted in many promotions. He accepted jobs in other countries, and moved his family to Tripoli, Libya, and then to Calgary, Alberta, where they got to experience other cultures.

He enjoyed playing sports. He played soccer with the neighborhood boys in Libya, ice-skated with his family in Calgary, and played basketball with the young people. He played to win, even beating his grandsons at ping pong as recently as Christmas.

When Anecia lost her eyesight later in life, Jim added cooking to his list of skills. He became an excellent cook, and became known in the family for his rib eye steak. He loved ice cream and began making his own, experimenting with different flavors. During his illness, he requested ice cream several times a day up until a few days before his passing.

Most of all, Jim served the Lord with all of his heart. He taught his children, by example, to put the Lord first. His interest in the work of the Lord included teaching Revelations, Sunday school, and building chapels in several states and in Honduras.

He is preceded in death by his infant twin sons, Otis and Perry, his parents, and his two sisters.

Jim will be sorely missed by his wife of 67 years, Anecia; his daughters, Cheryl Doolittle and husband, Dan, of Guthrie; Pam Flynn and husband, Dennis, of Madisonville, Louisiana; and son, Doug Wall and wife, Lenita, of Edmond, Oklahoma; his 11 grandchildren; his 30 great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.

Jim’s legacy of excellence, steadiness, and love of the Lord will impact his family for generations to come. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Church of God. Interment will follow at Summit View Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.

Visitation will be held Friday from 6:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. at the Church of God.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.smithgallo.com.

Published in the Guthrie News Leader - November 1, 2023