JAMES BRASWELL VAN TREESE, 95, died Feb. 10,
2016 in Oklahoma following a lengthy illness, with
burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens at Lawton, OK.
James Braswell was born to James B. & Ora Taylor Van
Treese in Empire, OK in 1920. He attended Ranger High
School in the Class of 1938 at Ranger, TX. He worked
at Lone Star gas plant in Fox, OK and attended radio
school as a young adult. James was invited to visit
a friend in Jonesboro, AR where they attended a Methodist
youth fellowship allowing him to meet the love of his
life, Pauline Bowdon. They were married and soon moved
to Kansas City, KS where they had their first son. Three
additional sons came after relocating to Grand Prairie,
TX to work in the radio industry.
Two daughters arrived after moving to Duncan, OK to be
closer to family. In a few years, always being a hard
worker, & starting Van Treese TV Services, an additional
Opportunity arose at Ft. Sill, OK instructing new soldiers
in electronics, so they made the family home in Lawton,
OK since 1959.
After the children were grown, James and Pauline bought
the Cotton Boll Motel in Canute, OK where they both enjoyed
meeting people from all walks of life. Returning to Lawton,
James excelled for Globe Life Insurance Company staying
with Globe for more than 20 years leading the department
in sales, winning awards, trips and trophies. Music was
always a big part of James life so he sparked musical
interest in all of their children while he enjoyed playing
the guitar and singing to his beautiful Pauline. The Van
Treese's were charter members of Westwood Baptist Church
for many years later attending First Baptist Church as
they retired.
Survivors include 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren.
Preceding James in death were his wife of 56 years and sons,
Gary and Barry. His siblings were June Van Treese & Don
Van Treese.