James Leroy Punneo

JAMES LEROY PUNNEO

James Leroy Punneo, 81, of Harrah peacefully passed from the world into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on September 15, 2024. He was born on November 28,1942, in Lawton, OK to Ezra and Lucille Punneo.

James attended Southeast High School where he lettered in basketball and moved his senior year to Perryton, TX. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1961. James married Barbara Jo Brandon on December 15, 1962, while on leave from Okinawa, Japan before returning overseas.

Upon his return to the States, James and Barbara were stationed in Santa Ana, CA and eventually made their way back to Oklahoma to raise their family.

James was employed at Western Electric during the day and attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond during the evening, earning his BA Degree in Business Management. He was quickly hired at Tinker Air Force Base where he had many titles but was most proud of his work on the E-3A Program, Air Force One Program, and the Executive fleet which he was responsible for until his retirement.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a great example of each. James was an avid hunter, especially with his son, James, his favorite hunting buddy. He loved to travel, was a hard worker and was kind, loving and generous. He had a very full life and set the bar high for all men.

James was preceded in death by both parents, Ezra and Lucille Punneo, two brothers, Terrell and Richard Punneo as well as the love of his life, Barbara Punneo.

He is survived by his son James D. Punneo and wife Tina of Harrah, daughter Jana Jo McBride and husband Jeff of Harrah, granddaughters Sarah and husband Hayden Sebastian, Ashlin and husband Landon Macias, Jamie Punneo, and grandson Jeffrey McBride; all of Harrah.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024, in the Asa Smith Memorial Chapel at Asa Smith Funeral Service in Harrah followed by interment in Memory Lane Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be posted on the funeral home website www.asasmith.net