James R. Coolidge

On the morning of Aug. 22, 2021, James R. Coolidge of Rufe, Okla., passed away, at the age of 67.

James was born in Swindon, England, to James and Mary Coolidge on Jan. 23, 1954. He grew up in Roswell, N.M. James received his GED from Roswell, N.M., after which he decided to join the Army and then moved on to the Navy. He met his wife, Brenda L. Coolidge in Odessa, Texas, in 1978. They were married on Dec. 11, 1987 and have spent 43 wonderful years together. He has been a resident of Oklahoma for 23 years. For all who new him, he was known as Jim, except for his close family who called him Bim. He was an avid fisherman and drove a Big Rig for 22 years. He was a member of Rufe Baptist Church and loved the Lord with all his heart and would tell anyone and everyone how much he did.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Fletcher and his father, James Preston Coolidge and one son, Wade Allen Newby.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda L. Coolidge and their two children: son, Anthony Shane Newby of Cypress Texas; daughter, Rebecca Stoll, who lives in Northfield, Minn; his siblings: Carol Hobbs, Bernice Meddles, Shirley Smith, Frank Coolidge and Roy Conn; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

A public memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at Rufe Baptist Church, located at 1 Main St. Rufe, Okla. Jim was laid to rest at Moran Cemetery in Valliant, Okla., under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.