EAGLETON, JAMES R.
James R. Eagleton, Sr. died May 21, 2013. He was born October 9, 1924 in Tulsa to William L. Eagleton, II and Pauline Dellinger Eagleton. They preceded him in death, as did his brother, William L. Eagleton, III. He is survived by his wife, Grace, and four sons, William L., IV; James R., Jr. and his wife, Polly; John Mark and his wife, Allison, and T. Paul and his wife, Debbie. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Will, Sally Grace, Trey, Jenny, Alex, Mark, J.P. and Sydni, as well as his sister, Pauline Eagleton Standifer and brother, E. John Eagleton and their families.
Following graduation from Tulsa Central High School where he was a three time state wrestling champion, he joined the Marine Corps. He served from July 1943 to Christmas 1945 as a BAR Sharpshooter with Edson”s Raiders, 4th Marines, 6th Division on New Caledonia, Emirau, Guadalcanal, Guam, Okinawa and Japan. His military medals were the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation and Purple Heart.
After the war, he entered the University of Oklahoma where he was an All American and Olympic wrestler. He pledged Sigma Chi Fraternity, was a Life Loyal Sig and in 2009, was awarded the Fraternity”s highest honor “the Significant Sig Award. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1951 and began a 60 year career in law. He was proud to be a third generation Tulsa lawyer. He served the legal profession on the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners as Chairman; on an Oklahoma Temporary Court of Appeals, as Presiding Judge; as President of the Tulsa County Bar Association and President of the Oklahoma Bar Association.
In the community, he served as Past President of the YMCA of Greater Tulsa; Past President of Tulsa Family and Children Services; Past President of the Knife and Fork Club; Past President of the Tulsa Ozark Club and KCCH of Tulsa Scottish Rite. He was active in Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America the years his sons were active.
He was a life-long Presbyterian and has served as Sunday School teacher, Elder and Trustee and on the Dwight Mission Board.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, friends may send memorial gifts to Helping Hand at First Presbyterian Church, 709 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119.