Jimmy Doyle Upton
Jun 25, 1942 - Feb 6, 2026
Posted by Jo Aguirre

© DeArman - Clark Funeral Home

Jimmy Doyle Upton, age 83, passed away on February 6, 2026. Jimmy was born on June 25, 1942, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Ishmael Elza and Lila Faye (Rowe) Upton.

He graduated from Tishomingo High School in 1960 and went on to attend Murray State College for three years following graduation. Jimmy proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1968. After his military service, he returned home and built a successful career, owning and operating Upton Construction for approximately 30 years. On October 30, 1970, Jimmy married the love of his life, Sherry Thomson, at Bullard Chapel Baptist Church. Together, they shared more than five decades of marriage filled with family, hard work, and cherished memories. In his younger years, Jimmy enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially noodling and gigging. He loved to travel, with a special fondness for the cool mountain air of New Mexico and Colorado. In his later years, he found joy in watching OU Women’s Softball and old war documentaries, often alongside his favorite son-in-law.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Sherry Upton; his daughter, Pamela Upton Lee, and husband Joe, of Newcastle, Oklahoma; brother, Bob Upton of Las Vegas, New Mexico; grandsons, BJ Lee and wife Tara of Madison, Wisconsin, and Ethan Lee of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and his great-granddaughter, Lillith Bishop Lee of Madison, Wisconsin. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Gayla Gilbert Cellum of Tishomingo, Paul Gilbert of Tishomingo, Bryant Upton of Tishomingo, Brooke Upton Pinkston of Sherman, Texas, along with seven great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ishmael and Faye Upton; his son, Chad Upton; his brother, Elza Boyd “Wimp” Upton; his sister, Doris Elaine Upton Bell; and niece, Wanda Faye Upton.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at DeArman-Clark Funeral Home Chapel in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.

Arrangements were made under the direction and care of DeArman-Clark Funeral Home in Tishomingo, Oklahoma