Jimmy Wayne Tinsley

Jimmy W. Tinsley, 70, Yukon, formerly of Eldorado, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel with Shawn Laughlin officiating. Burial will follow services at the Eldorado Cemetery under the direction of Kincannon Funeral Home.
Jimmy Wayne Tinsley was born October 14, 1947 in Quanah, Texas to Douglas and Eula (Braker) Tinsley. He graduated from Eldorado High School with the Class of 1966. Jimmy married Lisa Williams on June 6, 1976 in Eldorado, Oklahoma. Jimmy was a long time member of the Eldorado First Baptist Church.
Jim had a very close connection to nature as an avid outdoorsman. This passion started as a young Boy Scout in Case Grande, Arizona where he would spend countless hours in the desert lizard hunting with his partner “Ping Pong” and a BB gun. He hosted researchers from Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Cameron University and from all over the country. He assisted researchers with the United States Fish and Game Service on many projects over the years. He had a remarkable talent for identifying birds and loved teaching others. He was often referred to as the local bird expert by the real bird people. Jim loved hunting all of his life but in the last several years you were more likely to find a video camera in his hand than a gun or bow. His favorite place in the world was “Freeman’s Bluff” south of Eldorado overlooking the mouth of Sandy Creek and "Big Red".
Jim's professional life in the medical field started in 1967 in the lab at Jackson County Memorial Hospital while he attended Altus Junior College. He later began working with Mac Mollison in the operating room where he served as first assistant to several local surgeons. After a long day in the operating room Jim could be found in his shop working on carpentry projects for many people. He also did custom hay baling for area farmers to help provide for his growing family. He not only excelled in his professional life, but he was very much involved with service to his community. He volunteered with the Eldorado Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years, coached little league baseball teams, and served on the Eldorado board of education where he helped lay the groundwork for the recent Eldorado/Olustee school consolidation. For the last year, Jim enjoyed his daytime activities and field trips with the Daily Living Center in Bethany.
There was no limit to his sense of “service”, and his love of community. In his personal time he enjoyed building most anything, painting wildlife pictures, and loved to hunt arrowheads; he felt a kinship to Native Americans and the native culture. It would not be out of character to hear Jim say , “the wrong side won” in reference to the deplorable treatment historically of the American Indian. He had a very real sense of Justice his entire life.
Jimmy enjoyed the outdoors, he was talented at his chosen profession, but he loved his family. He married Lisa Williams on June 6, 1976. Their union would produce the “loves” of his life; Amber, Brettany, and Joshua. He would attend every ballgame, event, and activity his kids participated or competed in. He was particularly committed to educating his children about gun safety, he shared his passion for bird watching, and he made sure that they understood to respect and appreciate nature as he did. He taught them to be intellectually curious and not to be afraid to work with their hands. Perhaps one of the most valuable habits he instilled into his own kids was a tremendous work ethic. He believed you “earned” a living, and there was no task or job beneath a person. He gave them an education in life. He continued this love of family with his grandchildren especially after he retired in 2010. He loved to watch Kinsley cheer and swim and Calton play baseball and basketball. He loved spending time with Brooklyn, Easton, and Gauge. Brettany’s “kids” kept him active and entertained. Yes, Jimmy loved being “Granddaddy” as much as he did being “Dad”.
Jim Tinsley will be remembered for many things from his love of the outdoors, to his success in his career, his life of service to many many people, his love for his family, his wit and wisdom, his very sweet heart, his gentle nature, his dignity and class, as well as his character. Jim was a good and decent man, and everyone knew it. People gravitated toward him as he was a collector; he not only collected “treasures” he collected people. He really never knew a stranger, was always called “friend” by anyone who came in contact with him, and his legacy of kindness to everyone will live on forever. Jimmy Wayne also loved the Lord. His faith in God would be ever present his entire life.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Melvyn Tinsley. He is survived by two daughters, Amber LeGrand and husband, James; Brettany Tinsley; one son, Josh Tinsley and wife, Shelly; two sisters, Shirley Huckabay and husband, Gary; Trish Konkler and husband, H. T.; sister-in-law, Pattie Tinsley; five grandchildren, Kinsley Addison Moore, Calton Allen Moore, Brooklyn Marie Tinsley, Easton Hunter Tinsley and Gauge Wayne Tinsley and many friends.
The Tinsley family will greet friends from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Kincannon Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer's Association @ alz.org; or to the Daily Living Center, 3000 N. Rockwell, Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 @ 405-792-2401.

Additional parking for the service is available behind the funeral home, Days Inn to the South and Western Sizzlin' to the North.

Family and friends unable to attend may log on to kincannonfuneralhome.com, 30 minutes prior to the service, to view the live webcast of the funeral.

Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com