Monday, February 4, 2019

Jimmy Britton


Jimmy Britton, 78, of Howe, OK passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Howe.  Jimmy was born August 10, 1940, in Howe, OK to James & Clyta (Howell) Britton.  His parents  and  sister, Peggy Ann preceded him in  death.  Jimmy was a highly decorated  Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.   As a pilot for Delta Jimmy had two nicknames, Jimmy Jet and Jimmy Fun.  He retired early from Delta Airlines after 25 years  so he would have more time to hunt, backpack, snowmobile and enjoy the great outdoors with his wife and family.  Our time was divided  between our cabin above  Lost Valley of the San Juans,  near Pagosa  Springs, CO and our home in Howe.  Our yearly trek to Colorado  was around June 1until mid  October  when we returned to OK to hunt White Tail deer.  December found us back in Colorado to play in the snow, coming back to OK in March in time for turkey season.    Jim was president of the Lost Valley POA Board of Directors  from it’s inception for many years.    He was Colorado Snowmobile Assoc. district  9 representative for  7 years.  CSA  is responsible for   grooming  trails throughout the state.        Jimmy also worked closely with  the local  US Forest Service  on various land access issues.    Jimmy’s attitude in emergencies calmed all those involved while otherwise he was a very exciting man.  He made life fun for everyone around him; chaotic but fun.  He could take an unlikely group of  boys and make baseball players out of them.  He loved watching  them grow as players and individuals becoming even more than they expected.  He was an excellent instructor pilot with the Air Force, instructing in the O1E Birddog plane and the OV10 at Hurlburt Field, Florida; after returning from Vietnam.

          Survivors include his wife, Rhonda (Tucker)  of Howe, OK; daughter & son in law, Brenda & Danny Brklacich of Utah; sons & daughters in law, Jon M. & Christy Britton of Tom Bean, TX, Robert G. & Lisa Britton of Colorado Springs, CO, William B. & Nelba Britton of Ketchikan, AK; sister, Judy Britton  Peerson of Poteau, OK; brothers, Daune Britton of Howe, Max Britton of Corpus Christi, TX and 14 grandchildren, Jacob, Katelin, Kendal, Braden, Tyler, Cody, Cole, Danielle,  Britny, Sam, Beau, Abby, Rowan, Dayana ; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives, loved ones and friends.

          Services will be 2 pm, Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jim Perkin officiating.  Interment will follow at Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, OK.  Pallbearers will be Jacob Britton, Cody & Cole Brklacich, Beau & Samuel Britton and Beau Tucker. 

          The family will be at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6-8 pm to visit with relatives & friends.


4 comments:

Dan Jenkins said...

My name is Dan Jenkins and I knew Jimmy well. I am saddened to hear of his passing. I was in USAF pilot training at Vance AFB with Jimmy and right after we graduated, we traveled together to Stead AFB in Reno, NV for survival training. I also worked for Delta and although I was based in Atlanta, GA, I ran into Jimmy many times. I do not know if Rhonda remembers me, but I remember her. We met many times. I offer my sincerest condolences to Rhonda and the rest of Jimmy's family. Blue Skies and Happy Trails Jimmy. You will be missed. If Rhonda should happen to read this, my email is: dwj2790@gmail.com

Dan Jenkins. Naples,FL.

Unknown said...

I was a co-pilot for Capt. Britton on the Boeing 727 on many Delta Air Lines trips. Jimmy was a naturally gifted pilot and aircraft commander and exuded an energetic friendliness to absolutely everyone. He was so much fun to be with on these trips; I remember them well to this day even 30 years later. He was a gifted story teller, and he would describe his missions in Vietnam in such colorful detail I always begged him for more, and I still remember those visions today. His treasured Timex watch story should be published somewhere! Captain Jimmy Britton is a legend at Delta, and anyone who ever knew him or had the privilege of flying with him will never forget him. I am very saddened to learn of the loss of Capt Britton.

Unknown said...

Rhonda

My deepest sympathies. I fondly remember our days at Vance in 66-E. Jimmy was a great asset to our class. Quick to keep things fun without losing sight of the difficult challenge each faced trying to learn how to fly those things. Our hunting trips were always early even if they didn't always help to feed us. Jimmy will be missed by all those who knew him.

My condolences and very best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time.

Ed Kinkade

Evans Funeral Homes said...

dear sir with the watch story rhonda would like to hear that story and also ed - please contract rhonda at rhondabritton@ymail.com