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James H. Brecheen, Jr. passed away on Thursday, the 22nd of November 2018, at the age of 83. He was a true gentleman with a gracious spirit who freely gave of his time and talents to anyone that needed a helping hand.
Jim was born in Wichita Falls, TX on February 12, 1935 to James H. Brecheen, Sr. and Martha McKay Brecheen. As an active young man who was "full of life," Jim joined the Navy in 1954 and began a 32 year distinguished career as an air traffic controller. In service to our country, Jim saw much of the world, made many friends, and always guided pilots and their aircraft to a safe return home.
After retiring from the Navy, Jim continued his service as an air traffic controller for the FAA in Dallas/Fort Worth. He then moved to Oklahoma City, OK to teach at the FAA Aeronautical Training Center. This role as a teacher drew both upon his years of experience as a controller and spoke to his love for helping others grow. Under Jim, and those students he taught at the FAA school, many who have boarded an airliner over the years have had a safe passage as they experience the freedom that flying offers.
Once officially retired, Jim took on a final career as a handyman to many a friend throughout the OKC area. As a jack-of-all-trades with an unflappable determination to do things right, Jim has repaired or remodeled homes and businesses throughout Oklahoma City and brightened the lives of countless people.
From a young age Jim took to riding motorcycles and the freedom that they offered. He had several bikes over the years and traveled to numerous places. But the greatest journey of all was comprised of the miles he shared with his wife Mary. Both on and off the bike, Jim and Mary enjoyed a lifetime of laughs that expanded their world with new friends and incredible experiences. However, all of it was rooted in an unwavering and enduring love for each other.
Jim is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Brecheen, and her son, James Brasseaux, Jim's daughter, Sandy Jones and her husband Matt, and his two grandsons, Derek and Brett. Jim is also survived by his nieces, Cindy Williams and her husband Steve, and their children, Dylan and Katelyn, Renee Candalino and her husband Dave, and son, Matthew, as well as Jim's younger brother, Jody Brecheen and his wife Billie Ann, and children, Byron Brecheen and Jo Dee Krotz.
For more than 30 years, Jim was a Friend of Bill W. and is survived by individuals whom he touched through his involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous. The family he made through his involvement in the program saved his life; and in turn Jim spent the rest of his life serving and supporting others to help them save their own.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday, November 30, 2018, at Mercer Adams Funeral Home in Bethany, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Mercer Adams Funeral Home. As a Friend of Bill W., there also will be a memorial service for Jim on Sunday, December 9, 2:00 pm at the May Club. In lieu of flowers, and for those desiring, memorial contributions in honor of Jim can be made to St. Jude's, or friends of Bill W. can donate to Alcoholics Anonymous. The family also asks that you call a friend to check in on them and share a laugh just as Jim always did.
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