James Lowell Tygart's Obituary
A celebration of life for James Lowell Tygart will be held at Northside Christian Church in Broken Arrow on May 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM. Burial at Floral Haven following the service.
Jim went to his Heavenly Home on May 20, 2022. He was 102 years old.
He was the son of James Coy and Norma (Frieze) Tygart. Jim was born on March 31, 1920 in Aldrich, Dade County, Missouri. He graduated from Dade County High School. When his family moved off the farm in Missouri to Tulsa he started working at NABISCO and soon became a truck driver for them.
Jim joined the US Army in 1941 and was on leave when Pearl Harbor was bombed, starting WWII. All US troops were called back to service immediately on that day. Because of his civilian truck driving experience Jim was assigned to drive a Jeep and on June 7, 1944 he drove his Jeep off of a landing craft at Omaha Beach in Normandy. He was with the 2nd Artillery Division fighting across France when he was injured at the Battle of the Bulge in December 22, 1944. Jim received a Purple Heart for his injuries. France also recently awarded him the French Legion of Merit Medal awarded to Americans who participated in defending France.
Upon returning home, no longer able to drive a truck due to his injuries, Jim went to Spartan School of Aeronautics where he earned his Airframe license and Instrument Certification. Soon, he was working at Douglas Aircraft where he worked for 11 years.
He went on to be an Avionics Mechanic at American Airlines where he retired after 21 years. During this time he had a second job doing the complete set of books for Superior Hard Surfacing Company of Tulsa.
After meeting on a blind date he married the love of his life, Betty Hefley in August 1947. They were married for 65 years before her death in 2011. They called Broken Arrow their home since 1958.
Jim was very active at his church home, Northside Christian Church in Broken Arrow. He served in many areas and was always willing to help when called upon.
Jim loved to garden and would give away his bounty after he and Betty would can or freeze what they needed. He was also an avid fisherman and did woodworking. He and Betty enjoyed traveling extensively with their travel trailer all over the US.
He is survived by his two sons, Delbert and his wife Rhonda of Verdigris, Oklahoma and Darrell and his wife, Tami of Grove, Oklahoma, seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a grandson and a great grandson.
He loved his family dearly, always ready to help whenever he could. He was a kind, humble and generous man who will be truly missed.
Please feel free to join us to celebrate Jim's life by honoring his love for OU football by wearing your crimson and cream to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to request a donation be given to the charity of your choice or to the Broken Arrow Veterans Museum.
Our family would like to give a huge Thank You to Canoe Brook Assisted Living of Catoosa and Traditions Hospice for the love and care given to Jim during his last weeks.
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