James Kelley Stallings

Funeral services for James Stallings will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Bob Baker’s Airport Hangar with Pastor Paul Kirk and Todd Holder officiating. Burial will follow in the Waynoka Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. James Kelley, son of Gilbert Kelley and Viola May (Thorne) Stallings, was born August 23, 1945, at Chickasha, and passed away peacefully May 21, 2026, at Alva, at the age of 80 years, 8 months, and 28 days. James grew up in Waynoka, graduating high school there in 1963. He continued his education at Northwestern State College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967. In 1967, he was married to Patsy Lord and together they had two sons: Chris and Mark. He later married Jesse Fulcher and they had a son, James Kelley “Jimmy” Stallings, Jr. On November 20, 1998, he married Marlyn McComb at Loretto Chapel, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following in his father’s footsteps, James became a pilot at a young age and flying became a lifelong passion. He made it a career as a corporate pilot flying for Sooner Federal Savings & Loan, Dillards, Roy Clark, and ultimately as Chief Pilot for Adams Affiliates in Tulsa. In 1981 he flew around the world in a Lear 36, with many stops, including Reykjavik, London, Cairo, and Singapore, and Adak. After his flying career he briefly co-owned and operated two Mazzio’s Pizza restaurants in Round Rock and Seguin, Texas. Family obligations eventually led him back to Waynoka, to assume ownership and to operate Waynoka Community T.V., until selling the business to Pioneer Telephone Cooperative in 2005. He moved to Alva where he quickly became a fixture at the Alva airport and where he spent much of his free time since retiring, enjoying the comradery of friends and fellow pilots. He loved sharing stories of adventure, flying, and was always a ready mentor. His passion for airplanes was in many ways driven by his fascination with all things mechanical and anything with an engine. Besides his parents, Kelley and Viola, he was preceded in death by his son, James Kelley Stallings, Jr.; and a brother, Thorne Stallings, Sr.. James is survived by his wife, Marlyn Stallings of Alva; his sons, Chris Stallings and wife, Dhonne, of Rowlett, Texas, and Mark Stallings and wife, Dusti, of Kremlin; his stepdaughter, Wendi Macey of Edmond and her former husband, Andrew Macey of Pilot Point, Texas; three grandchildren, Draden Stallings and wife, Aubrey, of Kremlin, Chloe Macey of Oklahoma City, and William Macey and wife, Meghan, of Commerce City, Texas; two great grandchildren, Parker Jo Stallings and Sutton Macey; other relatives and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for cancer research.

James Kelley Stallings

August 23, 1945 - May 21, 2026