James Benjamin "Jb" Layne

James Benjamin Layne or JB to his family and friends, was born on December 18th, 1940, in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Bill and Bessie (Little) Layne. He grew up with his sister, Billie, and developed a love of good horses, helping his dad care for the Tahlequah City Cemetery, and the joys of life in a small town atmosphere. He attended school and then enlisted in the US Army, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam Conflict. While serving in the military, he met and married Laveta Gay Horton on November 5th, 1960. They started their family in Killeen, TX, returning to Tahlequah in 1965. JB started his career as a welder at Acme Engineering and retired 27 years later as a shop supervisor when he bought his first truck and trailer and started working as a truck driver, working mainly for Fikes Trucking out of Hope, AR. JB loved taking to the open road, radio on, and a good cup of coffee. He enjoyed his time at home working on and building classic cars. If he was watching TV, it was going to be a good western, preferably with John Wayne or Clint Eastwood in the cast. He was the proud father of a daughter, Teresa and a son, James II. He was stern yet lovable, enjoyed time with his grandkids and going out for some good food! The holidays gave him the opportunity to see the grand and great grands. His wife died in 2005. The loneliness in life was made into happiness with Helen Crawford in his life. Together they shared coffee, laughter and life's adventures. He was a Christian by faith. The Lord called this hard working man home from his many labors on Sunday, August 21st, 2022 in Sapulpa, OK. He was 81 years old. His family will greatly miss this wonderful father and grandfather in their lives.

He has gone home to join his grandparents, JB and Charity Layne, his mother and father, Bill and Bessie, his sister, Billie Leep, and his wife, Laveta.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Teresa Deckard and her brother, James Benjamin Layne II and companion Danelle Blevins all of Tahlequah, OK. He leaves his loving companion of 17 years, Helen of the home in Kellyville. He lives on in his grandchildren, Tera Deckard and companion Holly Kliebert of Ponchatoula, LA, Justin Layne and companion April Lynn of Tahlequah, Sarah Wright of Tahlequah, Derick Wright and companion Tisha Dreadfulwater of Chandler, OK, Kasey Caldwell and husband Ryan of Welling, OK, and Chance Layne of Tahlequah, OK. His great grandchildren include Zachary Spillers of Ponchatoula, LA, Jasper Layne of Tahlequah, Isdaresli, Ezequiel, Seyli, Sitlali, and Gabriel Gonzalez all of Tahlequah, Danica Diffee of Chandler, OK, and Elizabeth Dreadfulwater also of Chandler, OK. He also leaves cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for James “JB” Benjamin Layne will be held on Friday, August 26th, 2022 at 11:30 AM with Chaplain Bill Holcomb officiating at Reed-Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah. The family will have visitation prior to services beginning at 10:00 AM Friday also at Reed-Culver Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery with US Army Honors provided by Ft. Sill.

Pallbearers for JB include Tracy Deckard, Tera Deckard, Chance Layne, Charles McGonigal, Justin Layne, and Derick Wright.

Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.