James A. Marler

James A. Marler, 94, of Stillwater, OK went to be with the Lord February 9th, 2022. James was born November 8th, 1927 in Shawnee, OK. He was raised on a farm outside of Allen, OK. Directly after High School graduation in Allen. He enlisted in the United States Army and was based in Kobe, Japan as a Staff Sergeant in 1946. He was also called back to serve stateside as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps, US Army, 1955.

James obtained his BS degree in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma A&M, 1955. He then obtained his MS in Agricultural Applied Science, Oklahoma State University, 1963.

James married Elizabeth Ketchum on October 28th, 1955. They were married at the First Methodist Church in Hugo. James and Elizabeth have two children Teresa Miller and Ronald Marler.

He started his professional career with the Choctaw County Extension Office before teaching Vocational Agriculture in Crowder. In 1962, he began his 26-year career with Federal Land Bank/Farm Credit Services in McAlester before being transferred to Stillwater. He retired in 1989 and continued to perform agricultural real estate appraisal services for the agricultural lending market.

James looked forward to attending church, community programs, watching OSU athletics and Thunder basketball. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and being outdoors. He loved cooking, making peanut brittle, playing piano and listening to gospel music. He enjoyed being with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often wore brown and plaid, ate sherberts, and liked driving his Dodge Ram pickup.

He was a charter member of the Eagle Heights Baptist Church of Stillwater, where he was a member of the Golden Eagles class. He was a member of Rotary Club and a 73-year member of the Masonic Lodge of Allen. James also celebrated his 50-year graduation from Oklahoma State University.

James was preceded in death by his parents Claud and Ruby Marler of Ada, OK. Brothers, Gilbert Marler of Ada, OK, Harold Marler of Allen, OK. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth of the home; daughter, Teresa Miller; son, Ronald Marler and his wife Jennifer; grandchildren Lauren, Hannah, Ellie, Reagan and Reece and great-grandchildren Anderson, Leo, Russell and Miller, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is also survived by his brother Howard Marler and his wife Doris.

Memorial donations can be made to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, OSU Agricultural Education Scholarship, Inc. Fund. Donations can be made online at occf.org by selecting online giving and memorial gifts.

An inurnment ceremony was held on July 5, 2022 at the Columbarium Niche in Fairlawn Cemetery in Stillwater, Oklahoma with long-time friend Dr. Ray Campbell officiating. Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater was honored to be entrusted with the cremation by the Marler Family.