2019/02/obit-britton-179x300.jpgJimmy Britton, 78, of Howe, Okla., passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, in Howe. Jimmy was born Aug. 10, 1940, in Howe, Okla., to James and Clyta (Howell) Britton. His parents and sister, Peggy Ann, preceded him in death.
Jimmy was a highly decorated Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. As a pilot for Delta, Jimmy had two nicknames, Jimmy Jet and Jimmy Fun. He retired early from Delta Airlines after 25 years so he would have more time to hunt, backpack, snowmobile and enjoy the great outdoors with his wife and family. Our time was divided between our cabin above Lost Valley of the San Juans, near Pagosa Springs, Colo., and our home in Howe. Our yearly trek to Colorado was around June 1 until mid-October, when we returned to Oklahoma to hunt white tail deer. December found us back in Colorado to play in the snow, coming back to Oklahoma in March in time for turkey season.
Jim was president of the Lost Valley POA Board of Directors from its inception for many years. He was Colorado Snowmobile Association District 9 representative for seven years. CSA is responsible for grooming trails throughout the state. Jimmy also worked closely with the local U.S. Forest Service on various land access issues.
Jimmy’s attitude in emergencies calmed all those involved while otherwise he was a very exciting man. He made life fun for everyone around him; chaotic, but fun. He could take an unlikely group of boys and make baseball players out of them. He loved watching them grow as players and individuals becoming even more than they expected. He was an excellent instructor pilot with the Air Force, instructing in the O1E Birddog plane and the OV10 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., after returning from Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife, Rhonda, of Howe, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law Brenda and Danny Brklacich, of Utah; sons and daughters-in-law Jon M. and Christy Britton, of Tom Bean, Texas, Robert G. and Lisa Britton, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and William B. and Nelba Britton, of Ketchikan, Alaska; sister Judy Britton Peerson, of Poteau, Okla.; brothers Daune Britton, of Howe, and Max Britton, of Corpus Christi, Texas; and 14 grandchildren: Jacob, Katelin, Kendal, Braden, Tyler, Cody, Cole, Danielle, Britny, Sam, Beau, Abby, Rowan, Dayana; numerous nieces and nephews; and other relatives, loved ones and friends.
Services were held Saturday, Feb. 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Poteau, Okla., with the Rev. Jim Perkin officiating. Interment followed at Monroe Cemetery, Monroe, Okla. Pallbearers were Jacob Britton, Cody and Cole Brklacich, Beau and Samuel Britton and Beau Tucker.
You may leave an online message at evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com.
