JAMES GERALD LADD
James (Jim) Gerald Ladd II passed away with his family by his side on Friday, August 6, 2021, at 7:00 A.M.
Jim was born in Cushing, Oklahoma on February 18, 1953 to Jim & Pat (Bledsoe) Ladd. He lived most of his life in Tonkawa, graduating from Tonkawa High School in 1971 and attending college at Northern Oklahoma College. Jim married his high school sweetheart Mary (Minor) Ladd on February 22, 1972. The couple would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in February, 2022. The couple had two children: Jeffery and Stacy Ladd.
Jim enjoyed playing golf for many years. He also played men’s softball and bowled on a bowling league. He loved watching all kinds of sports, but he especially loved his Tonkawa Buccaneers and Oklahoma State Cowboys!
The thing Jim enjoyed most was spending time with his family. He was never more content than when he had one or two of his grandkids or nieces sitting on his lap. He was always so happy when all the family was together at his house for holiday gatherings.
The Tonkawa Fire Department was Jim’s workplace for 17 ½ years. He served as a fireman, EMT, and City Fire Marshall. Jim also followed in his dad and granddad’s family business owning and operating Ladd’s Retipping Business, working on oilfield rock bits. Later in his life, he went to work for Ponca City Public Schools, where his wife Mary worked 36 years. He worked in the maintenance department and was also the district mail carrier.
He is survived by his wife Mary of Tonkawa; son Jeff Ladd and wife Sonia of Houston, TX; daughter Stacy (Ladd) Bahn of Springfield, MO; four grandchildren: Fallan & Taylor Ladd of Wichita, KS, Haley & Hannah Bahn of Springfield, MO and one great granddaughter Helena Ladd of Wichita, KS. He also has two step grandsons Jaxon Gholston and Robert Fredrich, and two step granddaughters Sarina Fredrich and Kristen Fredrich all of Houston, TX. He also has three step great grandsons: Logan, Levi and Lincoln. Jim is also survived by one brother Rick Ladd and his wife Sondra (Ross) of Stillwater, OK; two nephews Tanner Ladd, wife Ashley and their children Eisley and James of Oregon; Justin Ladd and wife Ida of California; and niece Cassidy (Ladd) Minx and husband Tyler Minx and their newborn baby Emmett James of Edmond, OK. Also included is sister-in-law Cartha (Reese) Minor of Fairfax, OK; and sister-in-law Martha (Minor) Cocklin, husband Chris, and two nieces Bethany & Jamie Cocklin of Wichita, KS.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Pat Ladd; father & mother-in-law Jim and Jean Minor; brother-in-law Jimmy Minor; grandparents and numerous other relatives.
A Celebration of Life service in honor of Jim will be held at the Tonkawa Church of Christ, 300 North Public Street, on Friday, August 13th at 2:00 P.M. Reverend Sondra Ladd and Dr. Ron Walcher will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tonkawa Quarterback Club/Tonkawa High School. Remembrances may be shared online at www. stitttsworthfuneralservices. com.