James Edward Ivie

Daddy, We will always miss you. Your smile was so sweet. Your jokes and chuckles lightened our moods. Your calm attitude soothed us particularly when we felt stressed. Your example of how to live helped us to be better people. You would not make a promise or start a project unless you knew you could deliver. If we needed something you would work extra, save up, learn all about it, then usually end up making it. You even modified a hand crank ice cream freezer to electric with a washing machine motor! You showed us that a supportive, caring attitude and commitment combined with hard work can accomplish almost anything. You are well known for growing bountiful crops, your "secret" barbeque sauce and technique, growing "your roses", telling funny stories, and "improving almost everything that mom brought home".

Thank you for teaching me to use power tools, plan before beginning a project and not to worry too much about the "small stuff".

I will always miss and love you, Suzie

My Grandad touched everyone's life as he did mine. He was so kind, patient,caring and funny. He showed me how to trap and skin a rabbit. Even though I was scared and ran away he still gave me the rabbit's foot. He and my dad laughed so hard when I nearly fell over from the kick when he taught me to shoot a gun. I remember all the truck rides we would take to get fried chicken or chili two ways, even if it was just before dinner. I remember all the hats hanging in his garage. I thought that his friends must be really forgetful. I didn't know why we laughed so hard when I told him, until he told me it was his collection. My Grandad was such a great guy. It is purely his fault that I like Sooner football and basketball. He could fix anything, but sometimes he had to get a "round tuit". Grandad was just plain silly. He knew more jokes than anyone and loved to slip words into a conversation that sounded close to correct just to see if you were paying attention. I will miss you always.

I sure did like that Jim. Great story teller.

Saying goodbye is tough, but I know in my heart he's in a better place. Jim was outgoing, and I know it was hard for him in later years to give up those things he enjoyed most. He taught me to fish, eat my steak on the rare side (when we first met I liked my meat cooked well done), and he even brought me a whole bag of lemons when I was pregnant with Jenn (he hated lemons and I craved them). He made the most incredible BBQ sauce I've ever had, and he was the champion when it came to BBQing steak and chicken. He was a huge tease and just a lot of fun. He will be missed.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."