James William Talley, 85, of Kingston, Oklahoma, passed away on August 11, 2025, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He was born on July 7, 1940, in Madill, Oklahoma, to the late W.S. "Manuel" Talley and Olene Geneva Foster Talley. He attended Shay School through the first grade and Kingston Schools from second grade through high school. He graduated from Kingston High School with the Class of 1958, and joined the Kingston Alumni Association with his classmates. James went on to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University, completed professional training to become a certified welder, and earned numerous certifications in outdoor power equipment repair and operation.  On August 19, 1961, James married his wife, Barbara Ann Lemmons, in Dallas, Texas.

James was a lifelong resident of Marshall County, though his work took him to other places. In 1960, he moved to Dallas, Texas, and worked as a truck driver for Central Freight Lines. He also served in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. In 1971, the family relocated to Denison, Texas, where he operated Talley's Small Engine Repair until 1987. He then returned home to Kingston and continued operating Talley's Small Engine Repair until 1997.

A faithful member of Kingston Methodist Church, James lived a life filled with hard work, service, and simple pleasures. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, beekeeping, gardening, and raising livestock. He took great pride in raising Polled Red Brahman and Simmental cattle. James is a member of the Kingston High School Alumni Association and served on the Board of Trustees for the Alumni Association. He is also a Perpetual Member of the Kingston and Creekmore Masonic Lodges. He is a past member of the American Brahman Breeders Association, the American Paint Horse Association, the Kingston FFA Booster Club, and a former bus driver for Kingston ISD.

James is survived by

Wife:                                       Barbara A. Talley, of Kingston, Oklahoma

Son:                                         James William Talley, Jr., and partner Shelly Howington of Kingston

Daughter:                                Alisha A.Talley Khan, and partner Jason Ivey of Kingston

3 grandchildren:                      Aiden Khan, Riley Khan, and Ethan Khan, all of Kingston

Aunt:                                       Pat Briscoe, and husband Dwight of Springtown, Texas

Cousins:                                  Doyle Ellis and wife Louise of Ardmore, Oklahoma,

Charles Talley and wife Jean of Bowie, Texas, and Patricia Close of Ft. Worth, Texas.

Son-in-law:                             Frank Khan of Madill, Oklahoma.

Sister-in-law:                          Loy Tanton of Paris, Texas, and Kay Turner of Rockwall, Texas.

Brother-in-law:                       Wesley Edens of Kingston, Oklahoma.

Nephew:                                  Tony D. Tanton of Paris, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Lois Evelyn Talley.

Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Creekmore Masonic Lodge in Madill, along with Cecil Miller, Wendyl Parrish, Devetta Hart, Patricia Catron, Wayne Davis, Wilma Day, and David French.

Memorials may be made at the Creekmore Masonic Lodge in Madill