James Leo Stinnett

Hulbert, OK- James Leo Stinnett, 85 of Hulbert, passed away on Thursday, November 08, 2012 at his home in Hulbert, OK. A graveside funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at Tahlequah City Cemetery, with Reverend Bobby Botts officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Scot McCoy, Jared Evans, Seth Stinnett, Micah Stinnett and Cade McCoy. Honorary pallbearers will include the Tahlequah Street Department and the County Road Workers.

Leo was born July 3, 1927 in Scraper, OK. He was the son of L.T. (Jay) and Juanita (Jordan) Stinnett. He attended Oil Springs and Scraper grade schools before going to Tahlequah Central High. He left his senior year of school to enlist in the U.S. Navy. His training was at Treasure Island ,California, and he was assigned to the U.S.S. Scania AKA-40, an ammo ship that was in the Pacific ¬¬¬¬Theater of War for 2 ½ years.

After the war, he devoted his spare time to his passion, rodeo and working gas pipelines in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. In 1951 at the New Year’s Dance in Tahlequah, he met Virginia Bryan. They ended up getting married on February 21, 1951 in Bentonville, AR.

In 1957, they moved to Hulbert, OK on a 400 acre ranch where he had a dairy and cow/calf operation, but his pride was with the horses he raised. Leo was a lifetime member of the AQHA, the Cherokee County Cattle Association, and the Tahlequah Round-up Club. He worked for both, Cherokee County and Tahlequah City Road Department, and was able to retire in 1984.

Leo is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, his parents, and one brother, Tommy Stinnett.

Those left to remember his legacy include his sisters; Zelda Scott of Tahlequah, OK and Elva and D.A. Tyler of Las Cruses, N.M., sons; Steve Stinnett and wife Carol, and Jay and wife Margie, four grandchildren; Marissa and Scot McCoy of Hulbert, Jayme and Jared Evans of Ponca City, Seth and Danette Stinnett of Gore, and Micah and Cassi Stinnett of Grove, six great grandchildren Cade and Carsen McCoy, Creedon and Bristol Evans, Channing Stinnett, and little Cowboy Stinnett due in April, as well as many nieces nephews and a host of friends and loved ones. Leo was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was known as Papa EO to his great- grandchildren, they will cherish the time that they spent together.

The family would like to give their appreciation to Carter Hospice for their services, and asks those wishing to express their condolences to consider donating to Carter Hospice, 200 E. Harris Circle, Tahlequah, OK 74464.