James (Jim) Louis Ziegler born November 14, 1926, passed away on June 6, 2023 at the age of 96. Jim was the son of F.C. Ziegler and Julia Naughton Ziegler and born at St Johns's Hospital Tulsa. His son Thomas P. Ziegler pre-deceased him in 1979 and Daughter-In-Law Rosanne Francis Ziegler in 1990. Jim is survived by his wife Joanne and his sister Mary Ziegler, also survived by his sons Terry, wife Cathy, Dennis, wife Jan, Mark wife Trish, Mike wife Kathy and Jerome, wife Sandy. Jim is also survived by grandchildren Sean Ziegler, wife Ann David, Jane Ziegler, husband Ronnie Cookson, Clare Ziegler, Samantha Zitter, husband William Zitter, Brent Ziegler, Nicholas Ziegler, Emmett Ziegler, wife Angela Ziegler, Peter Ziegler, Helen Ziegler, Ann Carlson, husband Thomas Carlson, and Mary Katherine Ziegler. And the following great grandchildren, David, Jack, and Elliott Ziegler, Hazel, and Palmer Zitter, Ruby Carlson, and Bella, Brinson and Breeze Ziegler.
Jim graduated from Marquette High School in 1944 and then enlisted in the Army Air Corp and remained in the Air Corp until the end of the war. It was at this time that he joined his father in the F.C. Ziegler Co., a small manufacturing company in Tulsa that produced interior furnishings for churches. In 1949 he married Joanne Canavan; the love of his life and they shared their life together for over 73 years. He oversaw the expansion of F.C. Ziegler Co through the 80's and early 90's into one of the largest producers and suppliers of church furnishings from which he retired in 2015.
Jim enjoyed camping and picnicking on weekends with his "boys" and Joanne. Later in life he decided to build a more permanent vacation place with a flush toilet and a shower on Ft. Gibson Lake. So, he and his "boys" worked for several years to build his "Hulbert Hilton". Jim spent many pleasant weekends and week-long vacations at the "Hulbert Hilton".
Jim was also an excellent craftsman and jeweler. He created custom "one-of-a kind" jewelry gifts for his daughters-in-law and granddaughters at Christmas.
Anyone familiar with Jim would eventually receive a "nickname" or term of endearment from him. It was a mark of status to have a "nickname" from Jim. Kids in the neighborhood would beg Jim for a nickname.
Guy Fawkes Day was a part of Jim's personality. On November 5 - Guy Fawkes Day in England - Jim would celebrate with that "traditional Guy Fawkes Days traditional lunch...green lime jello and macaroni and cheese.
Jim and Joanne received a special gift from God in their son Thomas Paul who was afflicted from birth with muscular dystrophy. They had Tom for 27 blessed years.
Jim was instrumental in starting the first Boy Scout Troop at the Tulsa Recreation Center for Physically Limited, now known as Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. Tom and Jim spent many hours involved with the Boy Scout Troop, camping, hiking, etc. Jim also spent numerous hours at the Tulsa Recreation Center for Physically Limited, especially with their annual Pancake Breakfast.
Jim was an original member of St Mary's Catholic Church, Tulsa. The burial will be at Calvary Cemetery next to his son Tom. Public viewing will be at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel Thursday, 4 - 6 pm. A Rosary will be said 10 a.m. Friday followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., both will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges....