Jimmy D. Witcraft, a unique man of great curiosity who traveled the world and adored his family, died Aug. 8 at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa.
He was 70 years old. He was injured July 31 in an oilfield flash fire in Osage County.
Jim, an entrepreneur who did everything in life that he wanted to, had worked in oilfield since he was a teenager and was the owner of Rainbow Oil and Gas. But he had many interests: He raced horses, owned a pawn shop, complied legal directories, taught his children and their friends and anyone who was willing to ski on water and on snow. He had the uncanny ability to defuse any situation with humor. He worked hard, and played harder. "If you're going to stay out late and hoot with the owls, you got to get up early and soar with the eagles," he often admonished his children and in-laws. One job was not enough: You weren't working unless you had three.
He traveled worldwide, to South Africa, Alaska, Argentina, Egypt, Turkey and many other far-flung places. He loved to hunt big game, and was tireless in that pursuit. In Canada, he was once treed by a bear for 48 hours during a blizzard, but killed the bear and portaged it out by boat and four-wheeler after the ordeal.
He passed his love of hunting and fishing on to his grandchildren, and beamed with pride when one grandson, AJ Soliano, killed a bison at the age of 4 during a Daddy D-grandson hunting excursion and when another, Corbin Stall, killed a mouflon ram at the age of 7. Grandsons Austin and J.T. Waddle caught their first fish with Daddy D.
Jim was a native of Pawhuska, a member of the Osage Nation, a beloved brother of the Fraternity Sigma Chi, long time member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elk's #2542 and a member of The Immaculate Conception Church of Pawhuska. He was born December 27, 1941 and graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1960. He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration in 1965.
At OSU, he met and married Tedisue Brame, with whom he had three daughters: Kimberly Soliano (Giovanie) of Pawhuska; Teri Stall (Eric) of Tulsa; and Kellie Waddle (Brian) of Pawhuska. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Corbin and Amy Stall; Kadie, Austin, Morgan and J.T. Waddle; and Arianna and AJ Soliano; and two siblings: Dr. Chauncey Witcraft of Miami, Okla., and Penny Goldesberry of Pawhuska.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chauncey and Billy Witcraft.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held Aug. 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pawhuska.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Pawhuska Educational Trust Foundation at Citizens National Bank, Pawhuska.
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