Jimmie Dickson Oyler, 84, of De Soto, passed away quietly on Jan. 11, 2017 on Indian Country, De Soto, KS. Private family graveside service will be at Indian Country, known as Shawnee Reserve #206, De Soto, KS. Visitation 7:00 to 8:30 pm Thur., Jan. 12, 2017 at Bruce Funeral Home, Gardner, KS (913) 856-7111. Reading of eulogy and military honors will follow the visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to Olathe Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

Jim was born July 5, 1932 at Hulbert, OK in a two-room log cabin, the first of two children of John Dickson and Pansy Jeanette (Sparkman) Oyler. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard, 45th Inf. Div. in 1947, Hominy, OK while still in high school. Jim graduated from Wynona High School, Wynona, OK in 1950. He was married to Evelyn Sue (Rhodes) Oyler, Feb. 17, 1951 in Wynona, OK. After high school, Jim attended North Eastern State Teacher’s College, Tahlequah, OK only to be called to active duty to serve in combat in Korea. He entered combat in Korea at the age of 18 and returned home at age 19. Jim would tell you that he, “Had the honor of serving under General Douglas MacArthur.” After he returned from Korea, Jim entered Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State Univ. to obtain his Masters in Forestry with a minor in mathematics. While in his last year at Oklahoma A & M he ran into a naval aviator who offered to teach Jim how to fly if he would join the Navy. He and his brother, Don, joined the US Navy and received their Navy Wings of Gold in 1956. Jim completed 25 years of combined military service (Army and Navy) as a naval aviator in 1974. He logged over 10,000 pilot hours, flying prop types to jets while flying all over the world. Jim also served and flew off the USS Intrepid during Viet Nam. He would always tell you, “Give me an A/C and I can fly you anywhere in the world, day or night.” Jim also would say, “In the “old” Navy you were required to become a navigator before they would allow you to become a naval aviator.” While in the Navy, Jim was selected to attend the United States Naval Post Graduate School and received his Engineering Degree in 1963. He has many military combat service ribbons and awards for his service in Korea and Viet Nam (Tonkin Gulf) on board the USS Intrepid. Jim was a Shawnee Indian, a tribal member of the United Tribe of Shawnee Indians and served as the tribes Principal Chief. He will be greatly missed and always remembered by his family and all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Sue, and great-grandson, Nathaniel Trinkle. Jim is survived by his brother, Donald Richard Oyler, Mobile, AL; three children: Debra Dianne (Oyler) Carr, New Orleans, LA, Kathy Ann (Oyler) Dunnington, Gardner, KS; son, Jimmie Dickson Oyler, Jr., De Soto, KS; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

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