Mitzi James

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman on June 21, 2013 at 11:00 AM. A Memorial Service and celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church of Norman on June 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM.

Mitzi was born in Pittsburgh, PA, to Anne Beney and George Karabinos on June 21, 1938. The family moved to Columbus, Ohio, in her early years. She attended high school at Saint Mary of the Springs Academy and graduated in 1956. Mitzi later worked for Battelle Memorial Institute and the Academy for Contemporary Problems in Columbus. After Mitzi and Tom married in August, 1977, they and her three boys moved to Milwaukee, WI. During their three years in Milwaukee, Mitzi worked in the offices of Manpower. In August of 1980, the family moved to Norman where Tom took a position at the University of Oklahoma. For the next 20 years, Mitzi worked as an administrative assistant with Shaklee/Yamanouchi, retiring in September of 2001.

Mitzi loved her Lord and was a devout Catholic devoted her church. No matter where she travelled, she would find a church for worship and prayer. She also was very patriotic and loved her country. She never missed an opportunity to greet men and women in uniform and thank them for their service.

Nobody could ask for a better mother or wife than Mitzi. Her family was constantly showered with her love and attention, particularly her five grandchildren, whom she adored! She was completely and deeply in love with Tom, devoted to his well-being and happiness. They were as close to the perfect union as two people could get.

She loved all types of music and dancing and, for a time, taught ballroom dancing. She was blessed with a lovely singing voice and an uncanny ability to recall song lyrics from long ago.

She was preceded in death by her parents Anne Beney Sayer and George Karabinos, stepfather Theodore Sayer, brothers George (Square) Karabinos and Robert Karabinos, and son Kyle James Kauffman.

She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Dr. Thomas James of Norman, mother-in-law Dorothy James of Tampa, FL, sister Barbara Karabinos of Antioch, CA, brother Francis (Shanky) Karabinos and wife Theresa (Tessie) of Columbus, OH, son Keith Kauffman and wife April, grandchildren Kyra & Casey of Denver, CO, son Kevin Kauffman of Norman, son Kurt Kauffman and wife Kelly, grandchildren Zachary, Kyle & Sydney of Columbus, OH. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

All who knew and loved Mitzi will always cherish her memory in their hearts and never forget her quick wit, warm smile and wonderful laugh that endeared her to all.

“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Services are entrusted to Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 N. Porter Ave., Norman, OK 73071. For more information about the services or to leave condolences, please visit, www.primrosefuneralservice.com.