James Sifferd

James Robert Sifferd, 91, of Robstown, Texas, passed away peacefully, in his home, on September 25, 2020. James, or Jim, as he was known to his family and friends, was born on April 30, 1929 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Lacey and Clara Sifferd. He graduated from high school in Ponca City and then went on to attend college at Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Before graduating, Jim felt a calling to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force, and he honorably served during the Korean war. After discharge from the Air Force, Jim became a farmer and spent most of his time working the fields, until meeting Thelma, the love of his life. Jim and Thelma married in 1974 and settled in south Texas where Jim worked as a machinist until he retired. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Lacey and Clara Sifferd; two sisters, Ruth Sifferd and Elizabeth Claypool; three brothers, George, Charles and Daniel Sifferd; one granddaughter, Jennifer Barton; and a daughter and son in law, Rhonda and Kenny Durham. Jim is survived by a very large family. His wife, Thelma Sifferd of Robstown, Texas; his daughter, Ernestine Newman and her husband John, of Colorado; his son, Jimmy Leonard and his wife Jeanette, of Oklahoma; three stepdaughters: Fleta Dromgoole, and her husband Bob, of Cameron, Texas; Debbie Schonofeld and her husband David, of Bishop, Texas; and Sherrie Gaines and her husband Larry, of Robstown, Texas. Jim is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great – great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.