James Dressen

James Dale Jim Dressen, lifelong resident of Ponca City passed on Independence Day, July 4, 2009 at his home after a three year courageous battle with cancer. He was 61 years of age. Jim was born April 6, 1948 in Ponca City, the son of Dale Glen Dressen and Ruth Elizabeth Reed Dressen. He attended both Jefferson and Lincoln Schools and was in the first class of West Jr. High School. Jim was a 1966 graduate of Ponca City High School where he was active in F.F.A. and band. He then attended Northwestern State University of Alva prior to earning his Pharmacy Degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1971. He was later awarded the honor of Doctor of Pharmacy. Jim was married to Susan Swann on August 12, 1972 and to this union was born three children, Matthew Dressen, Andrew Dressen and Amy Dressen. Jim was married to Diana Bahr on September 23, 1995 in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church, Ponca City. Jim had been employed as a pharmacist since 1972, having worked at various locations that included K-mart, Graves Drug Stores, the Ponca City Hospital, Drug Warehouse and had also filled in at other drug stores in the area. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he was baptized on July 19, 1981. His enjoyments included snow skiing, woodworking, flower gardening, wheat farming, traveling to Colorado and Branson, Missouri. He was very fond of his Boxer dogs throughout his years, with his most recent Boxer being named Jake. He is survived by his wife, Diana, of the home; his three children, Matthew Dressen, Denver, Colorado, Andrew Dressen, of Ponca City, and Amy Dressen of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one sister, Carol Moore and husband, David, of Ponca City; six grandchildren, Jaylyn Rene Dressen, Jaycee Ann Dressen and mother, Brandy Dressen, Kirstyn Shearer, Corbin Jenkinson, Ruby Jenkinson, and Kylee McDaniel; two step-sons, John Jenkinson and Rustin Jenkinson and his wife, Joy; one step-daughter, Angela McDaniel and husband, Kyle; one nephew, Kelsey Moore, of Ponca City. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents and step-son, Joseph Skaggs. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2009 in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made in Jims name to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.