James “Inky” Lewis Entrekin, 81, of Cartwright, Okla., passed away on December 6, 2023 of natural causes. He was born on December 31, 1941, to William and Eva Entrekin in Wichita Falls, Texas.
After meeting the love of his life, Ellouise Bales, they were married in 1960. They had a son, Michael Wayne, and a daughter Lisa Renee.
In 1965, James and his family moved to Irving, Texas, where he became a firefighter. In 1985, the family relocated to Cartwright, Okla., where James and Ellouise settled down in a peaceful lake town. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and his annual “Elephant Hunt” with his friends. His favorite thing to do was spend hours in his garden “piddling” and growing vegetables.
James retired from the Irving Fire Department, Station 2 in 1992. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and favorite dog, Mandy.
He was preceded in death by William Entrekin (father), Eva Entrekin (mother), Michael Wayne Entrekin (son), Peggy Pitts(sister), Joe Culver (brother-in-law), and W.L. Brooks (brother-in-law).
James is survived by Ellouise Entrekin (wife); siblings, Sandy Entrekin, Doris Culver, Johnny Pitts, and Mary Brooks; children, Lisa and Mark Schnitker; grandchildren: Tammy and James Cragg, Lindsey and Austin Long, and Joseph Schnitker; great-grandchildren: Kenley Cragg, Mikayla Cragg, Ali Long, Ryland Long, Gracie Long, and Micah Long and by numerous nieces and nephews and beloved dog, Mandy
A memorial service was held Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert, Okla.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert, Okla.