James Mensch

James A. Mensch, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Monday, April 28, 2014 at the Ponca City Medical Center. He was 75 years of age.

James was born June 22, 1938 in West Fork, Arkansas, the son of John and Alvinia Johnson Mensch. He was a 1955 graduate of Siloam Springs, Arkansas High School where he was a catcher on the baseball team. He was married to Carolyn Slater on November 26, 1957 in Stilwell, Oklahoma.

James entered the United States Navy on June 28, 1958. He served as a BoilerTender on various ships that included the USS Yorktown, USS Lexington and USS Ranger. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on September 25, 1964.

He was employed throughout the years as an insurance salesman, a truck driver of 25 years for Groendyke Transport Trucking and most recently was employed with Car Mart of Ponca City.
He was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church since June 10, 1992 and served as one of the churchs first ordained deacons since 1996. His enjoyments were spending time with his children and grandchildren, fishing, womens softball, mens baseball and coaching softball.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 56 years two daughters, Myra Hiser of Ponca City and Lora Myers and husband David, of Stillwater, Oklahoma four sisters, Nadine Hawley of Van Buren, Arkansas, Adine Johnson of East Orange, New Jersey, Pauline Miller of West Fork, Arkansas and Maxine Bryant of Springdale, Arkansas two grandchildren, Bryan Hiser and wife Melissa and Jamie Foster and husband Doug, all of Ponca City five great grandchildren, James, Victoria, Abbi, Kassandra and Sophie nephew Ron Wagnon soninlaw Lyndell Hiser sisterinlaw, Anita Slater numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Alvinia Mensch and his stepmother Selma Mensch.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Kaw City with Pastor Tom Short presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 96, Kaw City, Oklahoma 74641.