James F. Hirlinger

HIRLINGER, JAMES F. “JIM”, born July 18, 1934 at St. Louis, MO to Joseph and Laura (Stemmler)Hirlinger, Husband of JoAnn (Martin) Hirlinger, father of Karen Forbes and the late William Martin Hirlinger, married January 15, 1955. Served in the US Army (Artillery) 1957-1959. Raised in St. Louis, MO. Attended Washington University (St. Louis). Completed the Advanced Management Program at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and the Advanced Marketing Program at American University, Washington, DC. Began professional career with the Manufacturers Railway (Anheuser-Busch) in St. Louis and remained in the transportation industry moving to the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railway in Passenger Marketing and later to Freight Marketing Research and Development as Director of Marketing for the Mining and Metals Industries. Moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1974 as President of Cherokee Coal Company which he successfully headed until 1983 when that company was sold to new investors. Founded Energy Marketing Services, Inc., 1983 as a market development company concentrating on the minerals and transportation industries. Spent two years with the Burlington Northern Worldwide Group as Assistant to the President in the development of international logistics services with responsibilities for its market development efforts in Canada, Russia, and China. Semi-retired in 1995 and consulted for Tulsa University in the establishment of its International Business Development program and community business outreach placing Russian business executives with Tulsa companies for training in US business practices. Sold Energy Marketing Services in 2003 to St. Louis interests. Survived by his wife of 58 years, daughter Karen and son-in-law Mark Forbes, Grandson Spencer W. Forbes and granddaughter Claire Ann and numerous nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, his son William (Bill), brothers, Joseph, Kenneth, Thomas and William and sister Dolores Sickles. Member of the National Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association, Washington, DC, President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the ADA, Past-President of the International Council of Tulsa, Board member of the Tulsa Global Alliance, Board of Directors of the Tulsa World Trade Association, Member of the National Coal Association, American Mining Congress, US Dept of Commerce District Export Council, past member of the Board of Trustees of Monte Cassino School, Board of Trustees of the Hispanic American Foundation, member of the Board of Trustees of the Tulsa Community College Foundation. Jim had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed de-fusing difficult business negotiations and labor relations with lighthearted stories of life and commerce, citing examples of how serious differences could be resolved by stepping back for a few moments and exploring compatible issues rather than negative issues. Visitation will be held 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013 followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Church of St. Mary, Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, 1-800-533-CURE. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.

James F. Hirlinger

July 18, 1934 - April 20, 2013