James "Jim" Leon Oles

James “Jim” “Pappi” Leon Oles, 55, of Panhandle, Texas passed away on August 2, 2024. 

Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at The River in Panhandle, 600 Euclid Ave., with Chris Downer officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. 

Jim was born in Amarillo, Texas on August 15, 1968, to Sharon (Kennemer) and James Ralph Oles. He graduated from Claude High School in 1986 and went on to receive an Associate Degree from Clarendon College. While in High School, Jim was chosen for a two-week survival course through Outward Bound. He enjoyed every second of the course. 

Jim worked for SPS/Excel Energy as a journeyman/lineman for 25 years. He also spent time as a cowboy, rancher, farmer, and pilot. He loved flying planes, fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. Jim kept the horse tanks stocked with Big Reds, he found that kept them the coolest. Jim was an extra in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He played the part of a German soldier. 

Jim loved teaching his boys the cowboy way and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was grateful to spend 11 years with Holly. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leo Oles, Frances Oles, Joe Kennemer, and Mary Kennemer; and his aunts, Lea (Oles) Clement, and Alice (Kennemer) Blair. 

He is survived by his parents, James and Sharon Oles; his “cool chick”, Holly Hicks; sons, Kyler Oles and wife Ellen, Dee Oles and wife Katie, Lane Oles and wife Liddie; and Cooper Oles; his daughters, Berkley Hicks, Brooklynn Hicks, and Maci Hicks; his grandchildren, Miles, Bodee, Locke, and Hazel; and his siblings, Sherese Taylor and husband Sam, and Lee Oles and wife Courtney; nephew, Owen Oles; niece, Elody Oles; aunts, Shirley Dalluge and husband Jeff, and Nelda Kelley; and several cousins.