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James Ray Tech, 62, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on May 24, 2021.
James was born March 19, 1959, in Okarche, OK to Fred and Virginia Tech. He grew up in Calumet, OK and graduated from Calumet High School in 1977. James went to El Reno Junior College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and then returned to Calumet to work at Texas Oil & Gas. He married Marie Mansfield on July 10, 1981 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche. They resided in Calumet until October of 1982 then moved to Watonga when he and his brother, Gary, purchased Watonga Butane. James made Watonga his home for 40 years. James retired in 2012 to travel, spend time with family, and chase grandbabies.
James loved traveling with Marie and riding his “scooter” all over the country. He made it to 47 states on his bike. He took great joy in pulling a good prank, embarrassing Marie, making everyone he met laugh, and letting everyone know just how much Marie took care of him. He was always tinkering with a project, whether it was a motorcycle, lights at the theater, or anything else that needed fixing. He never knew a stranger. He always said, “If I don’t pick on you, I don’t like you.” James always pulled out the phone book every place he traveled from the time he was young and called every Tech in the book. He spent a lot of time cracking jokes and sending memes with Leesa, and they were never allowed to sit by one another at an event. He put countless miles on the truck making 2-3 trips to Perkins a week visiting Lanae and the girls and watching all their activities. He loved giving “Nae” a hard time and spending time entertaining all her high school, college, and Perkins friends. He taught Blakely and Rylee how to ride their bikes and how to swim, and he loved bickering back and forth with Laynie calling each other “turtle” and “snake in the grass”. He made sure Brent knew how to be the ultimate girl dad. The best words to describe James are “fun” and “proud”.
James was a member of the Watonga Methodist Church, the Watonga Community Theater, and the Watonga Elks Lodge. He was on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma LP Gas Association.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father, Fred Tech.
James is survived by wife, Marie; his daughters, Lanae DeMuth and husband Brent of Perkins, and Leesa Tech of Oklahoma City; granddaughters Blakely, Rylee, and Laynie DeMuth; his mother, Virginia McMahon and Sam of El Reno; his brother Gary Tech and wife Jodi and sister Sherry Sorrels and husband Mark, all of Calumet; and his best dog, Charlie. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
Memorial donations can be made to Watonga Community Theater, Russell Murray Hospice, or Mercy Coletta Oncology.
Funeral services for James will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at the Nazarene Church in Watonga with Pastor Jim Forrest officiating. Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Watonga. Wilkinson Mortuary of Watonga in charge of arrangements.
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