James "Jack" Henry Ling

James Henry Ling (Jack), age 87, peacefully passed away in Tulsa on November 28th, 2019, on the 60th anniversary of his marriage to his wife Nancy. Jack was born on May 22, 1932, in Big Rock, Virginia, to Ferd and Pearl Ling. After graduation from high school in 1951, he enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic and also pitched for the US Navy baseball team. He received an honorable discharge as a Petty Officer Third Class in 1955. In 1959 he accepted a mechanic position with McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, MO. There he met his future wife, Nancy and was married six months later. Early in his career, they moved frequently, living in Nebraska, Kansas, Alabama, and California before making Oklahoma their forever home in 1964. From elementary school age, Jack was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. When he became a father, he shared that love with his son and would take him hunting every deer season. His prize trophy was a 12-point buck that he proudly mounted in the family living room. Fish, rabbit, squirrel, dove, and deer were more common at the Ling house than beef or chicken. But his family always looked forward to Friday night fish fries, provided by the "trout slayer". His love of the outdoors also resulted in him handcrafting button Bowie knives and muzzleloaders for friends and family. Jack was a great family man and a loving father. He was also a "gamer" and taught his children how to play cards, chess, checkers, dominoes and pool.. But the favorite family game, by far, was Spades, and many nights were spent at the card table. While raising his family, Jack enjoyed traveling and camping all over the United States. When he retired after 25 years with McDonnell-Douglass, he and Nancy traveled in their motorhome to all 48 of the contiguous United States plus the provinces of Canada alongside lifelong friends, Bill and Melba Pierce. Often, their grandchildren would accompany them, with Jack serving as tour driver while Nancy made the local history come alive. They also enjoyed many cruises with both family and friends, the highlight being a 50th-anniversary voyage with their entire family to the Caribbean. Jack is preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Ling of Brainerd, Minnesota and William "Bill" Ling of Sumter, South Carolina. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Geraldine "Nancy" Ling of Tulsa, and their three children: Mary Bernhagen of Tulsa, Michael Ling (Janet) of Tulsa, and Jo Ann Prince (Mike) of Katy, Texas. He also leaves behind a sister, Elizabeth Carney of Columbus, OH, and five grandchildren: Jenna Dahman (Eric) of Cincinnati, OH, James Palmer Ling of Austin, TX, Jacqueline Bernhagen of Bellingham, WA, Dallas Bernhagen of New York City, NY, and Kristin Prince of Katy, TX. They will always miss his infectious and ornery grin. Visitation will be held at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel on Tuesday, December 3 beginning at 5:00 p.m. A Rosary will follow at 7:00 P.M. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 301 South 9th Street, Broken Arrow, on Wednesday, December 4 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jack's life. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to the St. Anne’s Catholic Church Beyond Sunday Capital Campaign. Gifts can be made online at stanneba.weshareonline.org, or by mail to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 301 South 9th Street, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.

James "Jack" Henry Ling

May 22, 1932 - November 28, 2019