James “Jimmy” Henry Sutmiller, born January 4, 1943, in Wilburton, Oklahoma to Herman and Thelma (Wilkett) Sutmiller, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jim attended Lutie Elementary School and later Panola High School, graduating with the Class of 1960. After graduation, he began working in the oil fields, traveling across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, and Alaska. He spent many years working on Prudhoe Bay and the Kuparuk oil fields in Alaska before retiring from the oilfield in 1999.

Jim loved sharing his oilfield stories with anyone who would listen, because he truly never met a stranger. Even through many years of pain, he always managed to tell a story, crack a joke, and bring a smile to those around him.

Jim was a man of faith who was raised in a strong Christian home. Although he did not attend church regularly, he believed deeply in the Lord Almighty. Many mornings were spent at the kitchen table reading his Bible while enjoying a cup of coffee.

He enjoyed watching classic westerns such as Gunsmoke, Yellowstone, and Wagon Train, along with sci-fi movies and Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. One of Jim’s greatest passions was riding his motorcycle. In the summer of 1999, he and his wife Kathy made a memorable motorcycle trip from Alaska all the way to Oklahoma.

Jim loved country music, especially the song “The Dance” by Garth Brooks, which was his favorite. He also had a creative spirit and enjoyed writing songs and poetry for family and friends. One of his most treasured writings was a beautiful Mother’s Day poem he wrote for his mother.

He loved spending time outdoors, whether fishing in a pond, lake, or chartering a boat in Alaska. He also enjoyed hunting moose and caribou. Jim had a playful and mischievous side as well. In his younger years, he and his cousin Johnny once rode their horses through the school building, a story that never failed to bring a laugh.

Jim married the love of his life, Kathy Brown, on November 1, 1978, in Anchorage, Alaska. Although married, they spent the first thirteen years of their marriage apart, with Jim working in Alaska’s oil fields while Kathy taught school in Oklahoma. It was truly a testament to the strength of their love.

Jim affectionately called Kathy “Mama,” and she lovingly called him her “Sugarbear.” Together they shared 47 precious years of marriage.

Early in their marriage, they lived in Yukon, Oklahoma for fifteen years. But Alaska continued to call them back. In the summer of 1991, they moved to Wasilla, Alaska, where they made their home for the next twenty-nine years. After retirement, they returned to Oklahoma in May 2020 to be closer to family and settled in Mustang, Oklahoma.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Raney; his parents, Herman and Thelma Sutmiller; sisters Louise Gregory, Pat Arthurs, Kaye Bragg, and infant sisters Yvonne and Betty; and brothers Bill Sutmiller and Joe Sutmiller.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Kathy Sutmiller of the home; daughter Sandy Tomlinson of Wilburton; son Brad Sutmiller of Wilburton; stepson Stacy Brown of Oklahoma City; granddaughters April and Krystal Tomlinson of Wilburton; great-granddaughter Kylie Lalli of Wilburton; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Waldrop Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Center Point Cemetery.