Marion James "Jim" Bushyhead, 77 year-old well known Vinita businessman and civic leader, died Saturday, December 31, 2011 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. He was born August 2, 1934 in Claremore, Oklahoma; his parents were Rufus and Ivy (Beerline) Bushyhead. Jim went to school in Levelland, Texas and graduated from there. He later attended Oklahoma A&M for a year. Jim married Shirley Smith on December 16, 1956 at the First United Methodist Church in Vinita. He managed the Vinita Sherwin-Williams store for several years, before going into business for himself as owner/agent of the State Farm Insurance Agency in Vinita in 1965 to the present. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vinita. Jim was a very active member of the Vinita Community, serving on the Vinita School Board, Home of Hope Board, Vinita Jaycee's member and former president, Lion's Club, and United Methodist Men - Past President. He was also very supportive of Vinita Sport's, F.F.A, and 4-H programs as well as many other community programs and projects. The family includes: his wife Shirley Ann Bushyhead; his children, Bradley Ray Bushyhead, Timothy James Bushyhead and wife Cindy, Beth Ann Martin and husband Billy all of Vinita; a brother Jack Saunooke of Cherokee, North Carolina; grandchildren, Nicole Spire, Michele Prideaux, Tyler Bushyhead, Taylor Rae Martin and Max Martin; great-grandchildren, Drycen Spire and Blair Prideaux. Preceding him in death were his parents, his birth mother Geneva Welch and a sister Dorothy Kurahara. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Vinita with, Rev. George Gilland officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Vinita. Friends may give to the Home of Hope or the local Back Pack Program. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.
Visitation Details
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 9:00am - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita
Service Details
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 10:00am, First United Methodist Church - Vinita
Interment Details
Fairview Cemetery - Vinita