A funeral service for Otho Junior James, 86, will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 at Central Assembly of God Church with Pastor Kevin Ward officiating.  Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, with arrangements by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home.  Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 6:30 pm Sunday at the funeral home.

          Otho was born January 3, 1922 in Bartlesville, OK to William O. and Myrtle James and died Wednesday, February 6^th at Golden Oaks Nursing Home. 

He attended grade school in Bartlesville until age 9 when the family moved to Norman.  He graduated from Norman High School and attended Oklahoma University until he was called to serve in World War II.  He married Virginia M. Goodwin in July 1940.  To this union two children were born, Charles Otho and Debra Kay.  After the war he returned to Oklahoma University graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.  The family moved to Enid in 1950 where he worked for Bert Smith Road Machinery Co. for 28 years as Assistant secretary treasurer and senior Accountant.  He later co-owned  J.T. Truck Parts.  After retiring, he stayed busy at his accounting and tax preparation home business.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, Army Ground Forces and was stationed in Pennsylvania and Fort Bragg, NC.  He received his Army Reserve Commission in 1948 at ROTC at OU.  Otho was the commanding officer of the Enid Quartermaster Company when discharged in July 1961 with the rank of Captain. 

As a member of Central Assembly of God church for 58 years, he served as deacon and church treasurer for 35 years.  He taught Adult Sunday School class, assisted with Royal Rangers and was on several Building committees.

Otho is survived by Virginia, his wife of 67 years, son Charles and his wife Marvella of Newton, KS, daughter Debbie DeWitt and her husband Randy of Enid; six grandchildren, Charles James, Jr. and his wife Becky L. of Pinckney, MI, Becky James of Nebraska City, NE, Tim James of Olathe, KS, Ron James and his wife Alisa of Manhattan, KS, Tara Batterman and her husband Barry of Enid, and Kari Clark and her husband Jeremy of Okinawa, Japan; four great-grandchildren, Hollyann Noyes, Makenzie Clark, Amberly Clark and Logan James;  one brother, Vern James of Tulsa, OK; and several nieces and nephews. 

          He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ralph and Clem James, and one sister, Dolores Edenborough.

          Otho was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend.  He was a help to many people, always gracious to lend a guiding hand.