James Lewis 'Jim' Waters passed from this life on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 84 years.

Jim was the son of Allen Waters and Gladys (Agans) Waters, one of their sixteen children. He was born on October 4, 1936 at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he spent the first sixteen years of his life and graduated high school early at the age of 16 years.  He joined the U.S. Navy as soon as they would let him, and served for 12 years.  He served on the USS McGowan off the coast of Korea during the Korean War.

He married Paula Goggin and to this union was born a son, Paul, and a daughter, Wenona.

Jim was a welder by trade and followed the oilfield, at one time working for the company owned by the famous Red Adair.  He also worked as a welder building the F-14 fighter jet. He moved to the Horntown area several years ago, and drove a truck for Tyson Pork Group.

Jim loved racehorses, particularly the quarter horse. He loved spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, fourteen of his fifteen siblings, and his son James Waters, Jr who died in an accident at age 27.

He is survived by 5 children: Paul Waters (Sherri), of Wetumka OK, Wenona Mappes (Tom), of Martinsville IN, Juanita Hammond of Washington, Brenda Waters and Jessica Waters, both of Colorado; Fifteen grandchildren; Nine great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Family memorial services will be held at a later date.