Obituary for James Begley

James A. Begley, resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, at the age of 88.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Monday, February 16, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Kevin Ratterman officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery with Military Honors. Casketbearers will be his grandsons, Mark Loudermilk, Charlie Schiltz, Ben Palmer, Jim Begley, Brian Loudermilk, Jonathan Begley, Jeremy Begley, Lee Medvedoff, Tommy Schiltz. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

James "Jim" Begley was born on February 11, 1927 in Newark, NJ to James Begley and Mary McGovern Begley. He was raised in New Jersey attending schools there. Jim enlisted in the Navy during WWII and was a Navy Medic assigned to the Marines. On January 21st, 1950 he married Audrey Staatsberger at St.. Rose of Lima Church in Newark. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage together. He graduated from Seton Hall University in June of 1950. He began his career with Conoco in Englewood, NJ in 1955. Jim was transferred to Houston in 1961 and then to Ponca City in 1966. He retired from Conoco in 1985. Jim enjoyed camping and traveling with his family which enabled him to visit all fifty states and numerous foreign countries. During retirement he was an active volunteer for the local Meals on Wheels program serving as Grant Coordinator for the last few years.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Audrey in 2003, his parents, one brother Robert Begley, son-in-law Lyle Loudermilk and grandson Shane Loudermilk.

He is survived by two brothers, Edward Begley and wife Gertrude of Little Egg Harbor, NJ and Vincent Begley and wife Camille of Oak Harbor, WA. Two sons, James and Partner Deedee Gregoire of Texas City, TX, Matthew and wife Brenda of Austin, TX; five daughters Audrey Loudermilk of Port Orchard, WA, Christine Schiltz and husband Patrick of Ponca City, Patricia Palmer and husband Kurt of Ponca City, Kathleen Medvedoff and husband Steve of Santa Maria, CA and Laura Wedd and husband Dennis of Ponca City. Jim is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Trout Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts made be made in Jim’s name to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and Ponca City Meals on Wheels.

Source: Trout Funeral Home