James Henry Sumlin passed away Sept. 26, 2026. James was born on Feb. 9, 1951, in Shawnee, OK to J.D. Sumlin and Rissie (Gaines) Sumlin. He attended school in Shawnee.
On Dec. 23, 1971, James married Margie Phillips. Over the years, he worked in a variety of professions, including truck driving for BFI, employment at the peanut mill, Sears, Great Plains Kubota, a Shawnee laundromat, and Buoys Truck Service. In 1994 James built his daughter and grand-daughter their first home.
A dedicated servant to his community, James faithfully served with the Brooksville Fire Department, first as Assistant Chief and later as Chief, retiring in 2025.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Sumlin; sisters, Edith Ann Sumlin- Walls, Mae Etta Sumlin-Neal, and Beverly Jean Sumlin-Moss.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Margie Sumlin, of the home; sons and daughters-in-law, James Jr. and Misty Sumlin of Choctaw, OK, and Aaron “AD” and Shayla Sumlin of Brooksville, OK; daughter and sonin- law, Rebecca and Ron Wiley of NM; grandchildren, TaKasha, Shantel, Shana, Trey, Dillon, Eric, Jahlil, Aleah, Aaron Michael, Isaiah, and Andrew; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Clarissa Stevenson and Katherine Moss, both of Del City, OK; brother, Phillip Sumlin of Shawnee, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 am Oct. 1, 2026, at Sharon Baptist Church in Tecumseh, OK. Burial will follow at Brooksville Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Brooksville Cemetery. Lunch will be served at the Brooksville Community Center after James’ last call.
