Jimmy Leroy Potter

May 27, 1935 - October 16, 2010

Jimmy Leroy Potter

May 27, 1935 - October 16, 2010

Obituary

Jim Potter was raised by a loving, hard-working mother, Julia Potter Campbell, along with eight siblings at a time when things were “hard pressed,” to say the least. As a lot of men did, including his older brothers, Jim dropped out of school at an early age to work and he was forced to grow up early, as all the family did. Although off to an early start in the working world, it never seemed to slow him down. He later achieved his GED and completed high school as a requirement to get into the local painters union. He worked in the painting trade for a large part of his life. Jim was what most would regard as a “man’s man.” He was always the one you could count on to help out, whatever a family’s needs happened to be. He was definitely his mother’s son and always made sure, along with his brothers, that her needs were met, her house repaired, or if he needed to step in to help if anybody tried to take advantage of her or was unfair to her. Family members will recall more than one instance when his mother, due to the kindness of her heart, would let people move in “for a short time” just to help them through a difficult time. But when that “short time” became eternity for those visitors, it was Jim who went directly to the problem and eliminated it: once by stacking the visitors’ belongings out by the curb and advising them it looked like rain; another time, the visitor suggested Julia said he could live there and that Jim had no say in the matter – that was a mistake after Jim offered him a deal he could not refuse. Jim was not a bashful man when he felt he or his family was being treated unfairly. I recall one incident in his years of professional painting: he was hired to paint a room in a very nice older home by a somewhat important man. The agreed-on price was one-hundred dollars. After completing the job, the man looked over the room as Jim was cleaning up his tools and putting things in order to leave. The man, in his divine wisdom, handed Jim eighty bucks. Jim pointed out the agreed-on price was a hundred bucks. The man responded, “I changed my mind – the job is only worth eighty bucks. So sue me!” Jim removed his coat and was taking his glasses off when the man asked, “What are you doing?” Jim simply replied, “I’m not gonna sue you. I’m gonna kick your ass til I think I have got twenty dollars worth!” The man pulled out a twenty and told Jim to get out. Jim left with the hundred bucks – as agreed on. Jim had a great sense of humor and pulled off some practical jokes on the family. There are other similar stories, but we should not forget other accomplishments of Jim Potter. Besides his ability to take control of difficult situations, he was also a hard working family man who enjoyed life. His son James was in the boy scouts and became an Eagle Scout while Jim was an active scout leader and a member of the “Order of the Arrow.” He was a 32nd degree Mason and a very active Shriner for several years. He was very active in the American Legion Post #1 for many years and Jim held a 1st degree black belt in Karate. His absence leaves a deep feeling of loss in his sons, sister, brothers, and also in his many friends and acquaintances. ***** Please feel free to sign our online guestbook or perhaps send a card of condolence.*****

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: October 21, 2010 (2:00 PM)
  • Venue: Memorial Park Cemetery
  • Location: 5111 S. Memorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74145 - (Get Directions)

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4 responses to Jimmy Leroy Potter

  1. Dori Britton says:

    Jim Potter was such a nice, caring man. Always a good word to say about anyone and always a smile on his face. Honorable and decent. He was one of the first people I met when I joined the American Legion. I will miss him. God Bless him and rest in peace Jim. Love, Dori

  2. jim you were one of the nicest people i meet at the legion i will miss you and god bless all of the love ones you have left behind, dee

  3. Jim Potter was a kind, decent and friendly chap. He was always upbeat and enjoyed talking and visiting with people. My sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Potter. You will be missed.

  4. Jim's smile and twinkling eyes will be sadly missed at the American Legion. A good guy who was a friendly soul.

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