James Milton Constantine of Plano, Texas (but really Tulsa, OK!) passed away September 13, 2023, at the age of 82. He was born on February 10, 1941 to George James and Martha Jane (Sparks) Constantine in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim graduated from Tulsa Edison High School in 1959. He earned his bachelor's degree in business from Oklahoma State University in 1964. Jim worked in the family-run business, Palace Office Supply, that was started by his grandfather, James Constantine, working alongside his dad, brother and his kids. He never sat still! He loved soccer, hunting, snow and water skiing, building and remodeling things and just helping out anyone that needed some help.
At 72, he took his grandson barefoot waterskiing. He built a wood cabin at his hunting property in Bunch, OK only to rebuild it again using pipes after it burned down. Jim built a wood boat by hand a few years ago and took it to the river to see if it would float..it did! He renovated his and Barbara’s house from top to bottom. He won numerous gold medals for the Tulsa Ski Club until his lungs got too bad for the CO altitude. He retired at the age of 50 because “I had so many projects I wanted to do.” He loved Westerns (Open Range was his favorite..he watched it once a week!) Anytime one of the kids rode in his truck with him, it became a “teachable moment” and they learned many, many important life lessons from him. He welded a waving “Happy Man” figure that greeted you at their Bixby house next to the green dinosaur mailbox protector he also welded. He built and conquered his water ski jump and Tilt-N-Bob at Grand Lake. Jim joined the very first men’s soccer team in Bixby in 1975 and played soccer until right before his 80th birthday! Jim greatly enjoyed playing bridge at the Plano Senior Center and his weekly lunch and bridge with Lowell. He always had a smile and a funny (sometimes politically incorrect) quip! He was stubborn and often said “if you say so” when he didn’t agree with you. Jim was a unique and special person and everybody loved him! He was a wonderful Daddy-O and Grandpa!
Jim is survived by his daughters, Kim Spain and husband, Bill, of Fort Worth, Texas and Angie Constantine-Simpson and husband, Jeff, of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Bradley Vinez and fiancée, Katherine Kallinikos, Alexandra Vinez, and Carolena Spain; brother, Bob Constantine; bonus grandchildren; Davis, Cayman, J.C., & Maddie Simpson; numerous nieces and nephews; and a huge host of other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley James Constantine; wife, Barbara Constantine; sister, Beverly Young and his parents.
A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm with family remarks at 5:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, 2023 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 25, 2023 at Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 4161 E Admiral Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74115.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in Jim’s memory to the American Lung Association or the Parkinson’s Foundation would be appreciated.