Jimmie C. ‘Jim’ Putman

Jimmie C. “Jim” Putman, age 76, a resident of Oliver Springs, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Sept. 7.

Mr. Putman was born on June 11, 1936, in San Angelo, Texas. Later in life, he moved to Houston, where he lived for 40 years. He then moved to Oliver Springs in 2005.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a journeyman master pipefitter. While employed as a pipefitter, his work took him throughout the continental United States. He also worked in Alaska, on the Alaskan Pipeline, and he worked in the Middle East.

Jim’s hobbies included traveling, gardening, fishing, barbequing, cooking, poker, listening to bluegrass music, reading, socializing, and pistol and rifle marksmanship.

He served his country in the United States Marine Corp as a SGT from 1955 to 1959. While serving, he received several medals, ribbons, and accommodations, including the Expert Marksmanship Badge for both the Pistol and M1 Grande. He was also a member of the Marine Corps League, Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Detachment #924, serving as the Jr. Vice Commandant in Knoxville, and the Subic Bay Marine.

He was a member of the Northshore Masonic Lodge #1353 in Houston. He joined the Houston Valley of the Scottish Rite in November of 1986 and demitted to the Knoxville Scottish Rite in September of 2007. He also joined the Arabia Shrine Center in July of 1987 and demitted in December of 2008. He also joined the Arabia Patrol from 1990 to 2007.

He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Ballinger, Texas.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Ann Putman Whitsett; by parents, Joseph Clyde Putman and Lou Ella Eckert Putman; and by his father-in-law, Homer Jeffers.

Mr. Putman is survived by his wife and best friend of 43 years, Anita Kay “Jeffers” Putman of Oliver Springs; by four children, S. Renee Walls of Oneida, Mark D. Walls and wife Tammy of Oak Ridge, Melisa Kay LaDue and husband Michael of Oliver Springs, and Cindy Putman Tibbs and husband Mark of Reno; by grandchildren, Sean E. Carter, Brooke Carter Reed and husband Sean, Bailey and Madison Tibbs, Amanda and Melissa Whitsett, Michelle LaDue and Fiancé Drew Irons, M. Cameron LaDue, Benjamin N. Walls, and Samuel D. Walls; and by great- grandchildren, Eric and Gavin Carter, and Miles and Natalie Reed.

He is also survived by a sister, Jody Putman Adami of Dallas; by a brother-in-law, Doug Jeffers and wife Cyndi of Oliver Springs, by his mother-in-law, Aileen “Marcum” Jeffers of Oak Ridge; and by several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

The family received friends Tuesday, Sept. 11, between 5 and 7 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. at the church with Pastor Steve McDonald and Chaplin LeRoy Brown officiating.

Burial and graveside services, with full military honors, were held Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Marcum-Kidd Cemetery in Oneida. The grandchildren of Mr. Putman served as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. Please mail contributions to: Marine Corps League P.O. Box 145, Knoxville, TN 37901.

Sharp Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.