James H. “Jim” Keisman, 81, of
Pocola passed away May 26, 2020. He was
born July 23, 1938 at home in Huntington, AR, the sixth son of Gus & Farris
(Looper) Keisman. He attended school in
Huntington and graduated from Mansfield High School in 1956. He was married to Sherry Marie Yates on
October 25, 2003 in Pocola. Jim was
retired Advertising Director for the Seminole Producer.
Jim
spent 42 years in journalism, starting in advertising sales with Fort Smith
Times Record in December 1956, Natchez in 1958, and Seminole Producer in
1959. He earned several distinguished
awards in advertising and in Lions for volunteer service including the first
Dr. Robert D. “Bob” McCullough Meritorious Award from Oklahoma Lions. He was well known for his auctions and
donated ‘rocks’ for Lions throughout Oklahoma.
He served Lions 57 years, and was District Governor in 1977-1978, Past
President and Treasurer for OLSF, and Melvin Jones Fellow, attended 15
International conventions and 4 USA/Canada Forums. He was a member of the Pocola Trinity Baptist
Church, Pocola Lions and Lions International lifetime member, and past member of
the Oklahoma Press Association.
The
hobby for which he received great
recognition was his restored parking meters which he purchased entire stocks
(over 5000 meters) as nine communities removed
them from main streets throughout Oklahoma.
Jim
is survived by wife, Sherry Marie; sons, Bryan (Sherry L.) Keisman of Seminole,
OK, Brent (Cindy) Keisman of McKinney, TX; brother David (Nancy) Keisman of Ft.
Smith, AR; sister, Mary Etta (Dale) Morey of Glendale, AZ; stepchildren, Kathy
(Dale) Jetton of Pocola, OK, Joshua (Summer) Cockburn of Heavener, OK;
grandchildren, Kimberly Houck, Chris Keisman, Samantha Dunkin, Megan Cooksey,
Shelby Taylor, Seth Taylor, Grace Cockburn, Slayde Cockburn, Saint Davis; great
grandchildren, Kaylee Jones, Braylen Jones, Rylan Jones, Jameson Dunkin, Kenzie
Houck, Aria Jane Dunkin and Noah Cooksey; brother in law, Herb (Laverne)
Smotherman. He is preceded in death by
his parents; wife, Caroline Smotherman; twin sons, Michael Wayne & Mark
Duane Keisman; brothers, Paul & Warren Looper, Oran & Gene Keisman.
Services
will be 2 pm Friday, May 29, 2020 at Evans Memorial Chapel in Pocola, OK. Interment will be at Heavener Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be family. Honorary pallbearers will be Oklahoma
Lions.
The
family will greet friends from 6-8 pm on Thursday evening at Evans & Miller
Funeral Home, Pocola.
In
lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Trinity Baptist Team Kids.
We
extend a special thank you to our Pocola Nursing Home family and Advantage
Health and Hospice. ** Due to Covid please come to the viewing instead of the
service to limit numbers for immediate family.
2 comments:
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I worked with him for several years at the Producer. He taught me so much and was always a joyful and supportive supervisor. He was instrumental in the progress of my career in journalism. God bless your family and may he rest in peace. Judy Collis
I have known Jim for many years as a great Lion and a great friend. I have several of his “rocks” and a couple of “parking meters” that were given to me as awards. I treasure them all as I do his friendship. Jim was always energetic and friendly and never met a stranger. He was a great man with a gigantic heart and always loved a good joke, especially if he could pull it on you. He truly was a Lion servant. He was a great friend and will be missed.
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