- Date Of Birth: December 28, 1927
- Date Of Death: February 12, 2020
- State: New Mexico
James Curtis (Jim) Love, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the age of 92. In keeping with Jim’s lifelong pattern of constant giving and service to his fellowman, his final wish was that his body be donated to the University of New Mexico for research in the field of medical science. He was one of seven children born to George Troy Love and Bessie Harrison Love. He was born Wednesday, December 28, 1927, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and during his younger years spent many hours pursuing childhood “adventures” with his younger sister Dorothy Ann. He served his country twice by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of 17 and again as an Army Air Corp Aviation Cadet in 1949. His enlistment in the Navy on April 25, 1945, like so many of the young men answering the call of their country during WWII, required the signature of his mother since his father was serving in France at the time. He was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war in the Pacific reached its conclusion.
Upon discharge from the Navy in July 1946, he returned to Muskogee and worked temporarily at a glass manufacturing plant, until he convinced management at the KO&G-Midland Valley Railroad to “give him a chance” to prove himself. This was no small accomplishment given that his father was currently serving as the “Yardmaster” for the railroad. The company policy highly discouraged hiring relatives of current employees, but Jim offered to management that should he not work out he would submit his resignation rather than getting fired. Since they were experiencing difficulty hiring and keeping anyone who would work the “graveyard” shift checking in freight cars, they agreed to his hiring on a probationary basis. He was successful in performing his responsibilities and began a long and productive employment career with the Midland Valley Railroad; retiring as Vice President and General Manger of the Sand Springs Railroad Company. He married Fern Evelyn Rowell on Thursday, March 22, 1951 and moved to Tulsa in 1957 where they remained lifelong residents until her death in 1980. It was during their life together that Jim began his lifelong association and service to the Masons of Oklahoma.
He was married to Karin P. Lohr from Saturday, February 11, 1989, until her death in December of 2018. Jim was blessed with two children who survive him; Rodger Love and wife Nancy of Lampasas, Texas, and Deborah Love Castle and her husband Dean of Albuquerque, New Mexico; as well as a stepdaughter, Michelle Lohr Rourke and her husband Kenneth of Colleyville, Texas. Hs is also survived by four grandchildren; Lauri Davis, John Sheehan, Sarah Rankin, and Christopher Parks; two step-grandchildren, Simon and Keegan Rourke; and six great-grandchildren; Jocelyn Davis, Quinn Davis, Aiden Sheehan, Lexi Sheehan, Beckett Sheehan, and Sophia Stobaugh. His love and devotion to the Masons of Oklahoma was only equaled by his devotion to his family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He brought great joy, love, and pride in his accomplishments to our lives and we will be forever grateful for being part of his legacy.
