Jim Bullard

Jim Bullard, 83, longtime resident of Seminole past away in the Orlando, Florida area Friday, January 11th after a brief illness. He was born in Albany, Oklahoma on January 18th, 1935 to Zoe Dillinger Bullard and Forrest Bullard. After graduating high school in Kermit, Texas Jim attended college in Oklahoma graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from East Central University in Ada. Jim was affectionately known as Daddy, Pop and Papa to his family and Mr. Bullard to his students. He is remembered for his love of teaching and the impact he made in the lives of generations of students. During his nearly 30 year tenure at Pleasant Grove in Seminole he was a science teacher, a coach, a bus driver and taught drivers education.         Additionally, he was known for his love of Florida, especially the weather, which allowed him to wear his swim trunks year round, and provided him a close proximity to his step-daughter DeLynn and two grandsons Derek and Trevor. In Oklahoma, he loved visiting with his friends and could spend the whole day driving the back roads, “checking on cows.” Jim was an avid fisherman and enjoyed participating in and attending rodeos. His family remembers him as a man who lived humbly but gave generously. He was known for his love of warm Milwaukee’s Best in an old foam koozy and Kentucky whiskey straight from the bottle. He enjoyed raising quarter horses and cattle, watching old westerns and keeping life simple. But most of all he loved his family. He was dry-humored, onery and quirky and so many other wonderful things all rolled into a man who loved his dirt-road pick-up truck and a great snap-back hat. He was one of a kind and he will be missed. He was preceded in death by both parents and one sister, June Aten of Hobbs, New Mexico. He is survived by his first wife, Mickey Turbeville Whiteley of Ponca City, Oklahoma, two children, Kellye Bullard-Sommer and son-in- law, Tom Sommer of Wichita, Kansas, son Cris Bullard of Oklahoma City, step-daughter DeLynn Porter and son-in-law Daryl Porter of Haines City, Florida, step-son Tyler Eddlemon and daughter-in-law Marcy Eddlemon of Covington, Louisiana. Grandchildren Micah Koksal and husband Scott of Garden City, Kansas, Laken Sommer of Wichita, Kansas, Derek Yancy of Valrico, Florida, Trevor McMahon of Champions Gate, Florida, Emily Eddlemon of Paris, Texas and one great grandson on the way. He is also survived by longtime companion, MaryLynn Stevens Bullard of the home.  A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday January 26, 2019 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel, Seminole, Oklahoma. J.C. Simpkins and Denver Johnson will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local Alzheimer's Association or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: January 26, 2019, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK 74868