James Samuel Plaxico, Jr. (Jim) joined his beloved Jackie on January 24, 2024 as a young 99-year-old. Jim was born on October 2, 1924-- the only child of James Samuel and Mary Hood Plaxico to survive childbirth.

He was born on a farm outside of Sharon, South Carolina. Jim's father died when Jim was only seven years old. He and his mother, affectionately known as Belle, forged their way thereafter with grit and determination. Belle placed an incredibly high value on education making sure Jim was likewise dedicated and diligent. Notwithstanding their circumstances and financial challenges, Belle was determined that Jim would be an excellent student and obtain a college degree. While Jim excelled academically at his tiny public school, much doubt was expressed to him (certainly not by Belle) as to whether he was cut out for college.

Not to be deterred, Belle and Jim figured out a way to get Jim into Clemson University with Jim hitchhiking to Clemson, SC and back to Sharon for frequent visits to help his mother with the farm work. When enrolling at Clemson, the academic advisors told him he was being unrealistic in the level and amount of classes he was taking. He listened, enrolled as he pleased, and answered their skepticism by setting the curve in all his classes and graduating early while serving in the Army Air Corps and marrying the love of his life Jackie Edwards Plaxico who died just one month before Jim.

Jim defied all odds by not only getting an undergraduate degree and a Master's Degree from Clemson in record time and with stellar grades, but he went on to obtain a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota, again, fast tracked with an exemplary academic record. Jackie worked while Jim was in school to support them.

After getting his doctorate, Jim and Jackie moved to Blacksburg, Virginia where Jim was appointed professor of Agricultural Economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), now Virginia Tech. Jim and Jackie's three sons James Samuel III (died of COVID in February of 2022), Alan (died of cancer in 2020) and David were born while Jim and Jackie were living in Blacksburg. The family loved Virginia and VPI so there was trepidation when Jim announced he thought he should accept a job at Oklahoma State University! The family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1956 and their only daughter Cheryl was born there.

Jim became head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Jackie was instrumental in just about every significant community activity in Stillwater. Both Jim and Jackie were life-long Presbyterians and served in several leadership roles at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater.

Jim has many, many professional accomplishments a few of which are: a year as Program Director for the Ford Foundation in Bogota, Colombia, allowing the family to live in and take in the awesome experience of living abroad; being named by President Carter as Executive Director of the ASCS, Oklahoma office of the United States Department of Agriculture; being inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame; serving on the BancFirst Board of Directors and countless other notable honors and achievements, not the least of which was making a lasting impact on the lives of many, many students.

Jim was offered many lucrative positions over the years but refused every offer as he knew his place was teaching students. One of his students, Terry Tippens, recently honored Jim by donating funds for the James S. Plaxico conference room at the new Agriculture Hall under construction at Oklahoma State. Jim also managed to volunteer his time, most notably his impeccable financial prowess. Among other things, he served the Brown Foundation; Stillwater Golf & Country Club; First Presbyterian Church; and several volunteer positions within Oklahoma State University.

While Jim and Jackie made sure they traveled to the 48 continental states with their children, once they retired, they expanded their travels and enjoyed many ventures abroad. Most of all, they continued being life-long learners and encouraging their family to do the same.

In 2014, Jim and Jackie decided to move into the independent living section of Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City. While it was tough leaving their Stillwater family and friends behind, they made many more dear friends at Epworth. Jackie passed on December 22, 2023, just one week short of their 78th wedding anniversary. Jim was heartbroken and the family grieves his loss on earth and his constant role of teacher to all but take solace in the fact that Jim and Jackie are reunited with each other and James and Alan and other family members.

Jim loved his family including his 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. His incredible legacy will endure.

Services will be at the Brill Chapel at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. A columbarium service for both Jim and Jackie will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma at a date and time to be announced on the Strode Funeral Home website. Arrangements are being handled by Strode Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma www.stillwaterfpc.breezechms.com/give/online or 524 Duncan, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 in memory of Jim and Jackie.