James ‘Jim’ Wiginton

James “Jim” Ramsey Wiginton went to be with the Lord on Jan. 6, 2026, after a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

He passed away at his home in Okarche at the age of 72, three days shy of turning 73.

He was born Jan. 9, 1953, in Altus to J.L. and Loyce “Sis” (Schnorrenberg) Wiginton.

Jim graduated from Navajo High School in Altus, where he was a member of the basketball team.

Standing at 6-feet-6, he was pretty good. Jim averaged around 26 points per game. He scored 43 points in the state semifinals. He signed a basketball scholarship to play at Southwestern State College in Weatherford and earned a bachelor’s degree.

Jim then attended Cameron University, where he obtained his associate’s degree in criminal justice. He started his career in law enforcement at the Edmond Police Department as a police officer, where he served for three years.

He then went on to attend the 38th Oklahoma Highway Patrol School, where he was assigned to Troop A (OKC).

Jim retired as a lieutenant at Troop J (Enid). During his service on the patrol, he gained the nickname “Big Wig” and his cousin Kevin, who started on the patrol at the same time, was “Little Wig.”

He proudly served the state of Oklahoma for 31 years. Jim always loved telling his “true stories” about his experiences while on the patrol.

Jim married Rita Hull on March 18, 1998, at Eureka Springs, Ark. They first lived in El Reno, then they moved to Okarche in 2003.

He loved fishing and hunting, especially with his nephew Tate. He enjoyed woodworking. He was really proud of the last item he was able to make, a gun cabinet.

Jim also enjoyed yard work, striving always to make his yard look like a golf course. He loved mowing the field with his John Deere tractor. It reminded him of his younger days working on the “home place”.

He was an avid OU fan. He also loved baseball. His favorite team was the New York Yankees. That started with his mom. They would watch the games together when he was younger, while his mom wore her Yankees cap.

Jim was truly a big dog lover too.

He was a member of the Okarche First Baptist Church.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, five sisters and Danny Parker, his best friend from grade school.

He is survived by his wife Rita; two daughters; three grandchildren; one sister; brothers-inlaw Steve Hall and Marty (Carolyn) Hall; sister-inlaw Dena Hall; nieces and nephews Mendy (Randy) Canoy, Tate Canoy, Tori (Murphy) Douglas, Kyle Hall, Chase Good, Brady Good, Adam (Carmen) Hall, Charise Hall, Christa (Brandon) Carruth and Songa Hall; special friends James and Glenda Inman, David and Carla Pounds, Dr. Steven Arthurs, Lindsey Pinkerton, Julie Christy, Donnie Perry, angels from Russell-Murray Hospice Jordan, Bri and Madison.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Jim will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Okarche First Baptist Church.