Jimmie Lee Kroeker was born December 12, 1950, in Clinton to Elmer Glenn and Beatrice Ollie (Leppke) Kroeker and passed away Saturday, December 9, 2023, surrounded by his family at home in Weatherford.  Jim was raised and attended school in Weatherford, at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 27 days.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Kroeker of their home in Weatherford; one daughter, Susan Kroeker of Norman; four sons, David Kroeker of Hydro, Rick Spain and wife, Heather of Weatherford, Steve Spain and wife, Jeanie of Weatherford, and Jerry Spain and wife, Sylvia of Weatherford; one sister, Joyce Austin and husband, Buzzy of Erick; seventeen grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and two granddaughters, Monica Kroeker and Kelsy Spain.

What can you say about Jim Kroeker? To give the task to someone who was directly impacted by his life is no small task.  To write a small memorial about someone who did not say a lot or stand out in the public view is somewhat difficult because you would never hear him say these things about himself.  I am honored to say them for him.

Jim was a simple man, dedicated to what and who he was surrounded by.  His work was quality, and his life was organized.  He took the position as Patriarch of his family with no demand of authority, he just was.  To speak of his grandeur, well, there wasn't much, and he was alright with that.

His physical strength for his size was unusual.  It was said, no one could beat Jim Kroeker in an arm wrestling dual.  He was a Weatherford High School track star that held the record in the 100-yard dash for several years.  That is why as he grew older, and his strength began to dwindle, it was a great amazement to us who knew him.

Jim spent 32 years in the Army. This was a great pride in him and an admirable service to his country.  He was not just a member of the Armed Forces; he was a servant to The United States of America.  His uniform was a symbol that demanded respect whether anyone agreed or not.

Jim was a husband.  He fulfilled that duty well.  He may not have agreed with his wife, Linda, but he did the best he could to make her happy (and that is a task all in itself, if you know what I mean).  You could not talk about Him without mentioning Linda.  That is the way he wanted it, Jim and Linda.  She was not just his wife; she was his best friend.  All the notes, gestures and words said one thing, "I love you!".  Anyone who disagrees did not know him.

Jim was a father.  Most of this position was somewhat imposed upon him.  He did not shrink back.  He was DADDY.  In the good times and the bad he fulfilled this job well.  He was a great Dad.  The discipline may be there from time to time, but the love was always there.  This gentle guiding hand was less with words and more by example.

Jim was a grandfather.  No, he was more than that.  He was Papa Jim.  None of the kids called him Grandfather or even Grandpa, he was known as Papa  Jim.  If the grandkids brought a friend over, he was their Papa too.  It was simply amazing!  With too many to count, his love reached them all.  What more can be said about Papa Jim?  I don't know, ask anyone of the multitude of grandkids.  They will tell the honest to God truth, and I guarantee it will be good.

Jim was a friend.  If you were ever a friend of Jim's you still are.  He cherished time with his friends.  In the coffee shop, at church, at the many social events that Linda and him attended.  It did not matter to him.  Where there were people, there were friends.  What would they talk about?  It did not matter; the companionship mattered the most.  Jim would just nod his head and smile.  He was authentically a friend.

There is one more aspect of Jim's life that you need to know.  If you really knew him, this is no surprise.  For the rest, he would want you to know. Jim loved God.  This part did not need words.  It leaked out of every part of who he was and what he did.  His devotion to God was not a chore, it was a natural as his next breath.  He did not go around preaching to everyone.  You wouldn't find him in some deep theological discussion.  He just loved God.

He wanted to tell everyone about the love of Jesus.  He simply did not have complete confidence in himself.  So, Jim made things.  In the things he made, the message was clear.  In his carpenter days he would write a message that was concealed.  If you ever tear into a wall he built, a door or window he installed, you won't have to look very hard.  In that concealed place you will find the one message that he knew so well that he wanted to share with the whole world, this message that he left will perpetuate to many, even to you. What was the message?  JESUS LOVES YOU!