James D Funnell, M.D.

Dr. Funnell was born in Corydon, Iowa to Joseph W. Funnell and Alice Kelso Funnell. He spent his early years like many farm boys, riding a horse every day and doing chores around the farm. During World War II his family moved to San Diego, California.

After finishing high school in San Diego, he worked his way through college, graduating with a degree in Zoology from San Diego State University, and a degree in Pharmacology from the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco.

Dr. Funnell entered the U. S. Air Force, and ultimately became a squadron commander in the medical corp. at the SAC Base in Goose Bay, Labrador. During this time, he met the Air Force nurse who became the love of his life, Loyce. Dr. Funnell and Loyce were married in 1955, and went on to have three sons, James, Jr. (Sally), William, and Richard (Susan) and three grandchildren, James R, Charlotte, and Jim, III.

After serving in the Air Force, Dr. Funnell graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1960. He went into private practice in Oklahoma City with his uncle, Dr. Joseph Kelso, and his brother, Dr. Joseph Funnell, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a focus on infertility and high risk obstetrics. Following the deaths of his brother and his uncle, he partnered with Dr. Tony Puckett and Dr. Gary Strebel with whom he shared a practice during which time they mentored countless medical students at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Funnell practiced primarily at Mercy Hospital in downtown Oklahoma City and served on their board for years. As a board member and practicing physician he was instrumental in supporting the building of the new Mercy Health Center in northwest Oklahoma City.

During the five decades that Dr. Funnell practiced medicine in Oklahoma City, he was active in advancing the practice of medicine throughout the State, serving as the President of the Oklahoma County Medical Association, and later as President of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. In 1996, he was honored by the University of Oklahoma Medical Alumni Association as the Oklahoma Private Practice Physician of the year.

Dr. Funnell was an active member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City since the 1950's, serving on its Board of Trustees for many years. In the late 1970s he led a church medical team into the mountains of Bolivia. Dr. Funnell was active as an adult leader in Boy Scouting, seeing each of his three sons attain the rank of Eagle Scout. He also later saw his two grandsons attain the rank of Eagle Scout. Dr. Funnell also served as a team physician at McGuinness High School for 15 years.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 18th at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in honor of Dr. Funnell to the Mercy Health Foundation, or to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.