James Ray Leroy Metzger, resident of the Owasso-Collinsville area, passed from this life on Wednesday evening, August 13, 2014, in Tulsa. James was born September 13, 1939, at Ochelata, OK, to Delbert Ray and Lee Ella (Gardner) Metzger. He was raised and received his education in Tulsa, graduating from Will Rogers High School. James was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1959 until his honorable discharge in September of 1963. On August 22, 1965, James and Barbara Cinninger were united in marriage at the East Side Assembly of God Church in Tulsa. To this union, two sons were born. James worked as a barber until 1980 when he was employed as a carrier and later postal clerk with the United States Postal Service. He and Barbara have made the Owasso area home since 1973. James was a member of the New Life Assembly in Collinsville for the past 20 years. He was also a councilman for the “Light for the Lost” and had been a Royal Rangers Leader. James was an avid coin collector, belonging to the Tulsa Coin Club, enjoyed playing golf and loved music.
Those that survive include his wife – Barbara of the home; son Stephen Paul Metzger, also of the home; three grandchildren – Amanda, Jonathan and Nathaniel Metzger, all of Owasso; a brother Delbert Metzger of Tulsa and two sisters – Mary Kerby of Chandler, Arizona and Colleen “Connie” Hamilton of Verdigris, OK. James was preceded in death by his parents; son David; two brothers Jack & Mark; and a sister Patricia.
Funeral services for James will be Monday, August 18, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. the sanctuary of New Life Assembly in Collinsville with Pastors Robert Miller and David Phillippe officiating. Burial will follow at the Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery, Owasso. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at Mowery Funeral Service. Those that would like to honor James’ memory may do so by contributing to: The New Life Assembly – Fire Bible Fund, 12215 N. Garnett Rd., Collinsville, OK 74021. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
