James Paul Kaiser

James Paul Kaiser was born on November 25, 1942, at home outside of Ada, Oklahoma. He went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2023. He was the thirteenth child of Clyde and Myrtle Hart Kaiser. He grew up on the family farm with chores to do and many acres to roam. James attended the Byng Consolidated School System and graduated from Byng High School in 1960, where he excelled both academically and athletically. Six of the twelve living children in the Kaiser family made All State in some sport including James. He attended the University of Oklahoma on a basketball scholarship and also played baseball for two years. After two years, he decided since he was a chemical engineer major he had best attend class more. After completing his degree, he did natural gas research for a chemical company and completed a Master’s degree in petroleum engineering. He worked in the oil and gas business for many years.

He met the love of his life, Ann Kernek, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, at a basketball game during their senior year in high school. They both attended Oklahoma University and married in 1963 when she graduated. She began teaching at University Elementary School while he completed his basketball eligibility, his degree and his masters. The most important decision of his life was made while a freshman at the University of Oklahoma when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Norman, Oklahoma. He never wavered from this commitment and served his Lord for the rest of his life.

Ann and James were blessed with three wonderful sons. Tim, Wade and Boyd were all good athletes and he was their first coach. He taught them well and they played basketball through high school and college. He loved being their dad and was always a good example for them on how to live their lives. He lived what he taught them.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Gretchen Kaiser,Juanita O’Donley, Pauline Ross, Geraldine Stanfield, John Kaiser, Betty Thompson and Roberta Moote. In addition, Ann’s parents, Boyd and Wilda Kernek, and a brother-in-law, George Kernek, who was also his teammate on OU’s basketball and baseball teams. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ann, his three sons, Tim (Beth), Wade(Lori), and Boyd (Melissa). He is also survived by some of the joys of his life, his eight grandchildren; Sarah(Forrest)Hyde, Emily(Grant) Logsdon, Rachel Kaiser, Grant Kaiser, Josh Kaiser, Kate Kaiser, Philip Kaiser and Chase Kaiser. He is survived by five siblings Joe, Harry and Donald (Sue) Kaiser, Mary Miller, and Rebecca Boren, his brother-in-law Keith (Lee) Kernek and sister-in-law, Joyce Kernek. Being from a family of 13 siblings, he is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Educational Trust Fund. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, 1114 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama. 35209.