James Anthony Oelke

James Anthony Oelke, 67, passed away on August 3, 2022, in Corpus Christi, TX. He was a 21-year retired veteran who served overseas in combat deployment in Iraq.

James "Jim" Oelke, also known as "Jimmy" to his family, was born in 1955 in Baltimore, Maryland to Kimbel and Mary Oelke who founded and published The Dundalk Eagle newspaper.

He grew up in Howard County, Maryland where he attended Howard High School. His first job was delivering newspapers for the family business. After high school he worked in construction; but, by his early 20s he had joined the US Army and did a tour of duty in Germany.

James met his first wife Deborah Arlene Bryan while in service. They were stationed in Fort Meade in Maryland and in Italy before moving permanently to Corpus Christi, TX in 1986, where they raised their two children, Sean Patrick and Alexis Mikaela Oelke. He then became a member of the Texas National Guard and during this period he owned a small seafood business and subsequently operated a sole proprietor construction business. James and Deborah divorced and many years later he married Lisa Smith.

For his service in the Army he received numerous decorations, including the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM), and the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), both earned while performing duties under fire in active ground combat in Kirkut, Iraq as a member of a US Army infantry unit during the Iraq War.

James was best known for his easy smile, his friendly demeanor and his heart full of love. He always took the time to listen to those he loved and he never failed to find the fun in life. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his children, and playing the drums and harmonica. On a lazy afternoon, you could always find him listening to his favorite bands, Poco, Supertramp and The Eagles.

Known as "Jimmy" in his childhood, he was also a creative and imaginative person who enjoyed drawing and photography, the latter he took up while in service in Germany. He is remembered by family members for his even temper and a wonderful sense of humor. In his youth he was a natural athlete who excelled at tennis, football and cycling and he played in some pro tennis tournaments.

James is survived by his son, Sean Oelke and Sean's partner Misty Dawn Brown of Corpus Christi, TX; his daughter, Alexis Acuña and her husband John Acuña of San Antonio, TX; and four grandchildren, John Paul and Olivia Acuña and Luke and Scarlet Oelke. He is also survived by two brothers and eight sisters, Kim Boone of Parkton, MD, Deb Cornely of Glenville, PA, Barbara Oelke of Monkton, MD, William "Billy" Oelke of New Freedom, PA, Elizabeth Oelke of Fawn Grove, PA, Mary Jane Oelke of White Marsh, MD, Suzanne Oelke of Seattle, WA, Ava Oelke of Upperco, MD, Andrew Oelke of York, PA, and Kerry Oelke of Parkton MD. Also surviving are 11 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Kimbel and Mary Oelke.

Memorial services will be held at the Coastal Bend Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas on 25 August 2022 at 10 AM.
 

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