J. L. "Jim" Gaut, age 85, passed away peacefully into the presence of his precious Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on December 14, 2024. Preceded in death by his parents, A.B. and Mildred Gaut, and 4 brothers, Darrel, Wayne, Andy, and Phillip Gaut, and granddaughter Claire. Survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Brenda Nelson Gaut ("the best in the west"), and his brother Charles (Kay) Gaut. He was an amazing, godly father to children Greg Morgan, Kerrie (Bob) Coleman, Kristie Higgins, and Michelle Prehoda. He was a proud grandfather to Amy, Tracy, Jeremy, Ryan, Reagan, Sydne (Ty), Clay, Aidan, Tara, and Ava. He loved being a great-grandfather to Taylan, Daklyn, Paisleigh, Adylan, and Rain (plus another baby girl on the way). He loved and was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and fellow church members.

He was born in Lenapah, OK, on December 14, 1939, and served in the U.S. Army Reserves before becoming a proud Boomer Sooner graduate. He worked for Cities Service Company in Bartlesville, OK, which eventually became Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy). He retired after 44 years at Oxy, where he began working in the mailroom before ultimately becoming a valued and trusted financial manager in their Houston, TX, office.

Jim always stayed busy, whether he was working at Oxy or at the mobile home park he owned. He was extremely business savvy, could fix almost anything, enjoyed watching his stocks, and he especially loved visiting his "ranch" in the hill country or his pond in Huntsville. He was an avid fisherman for many years when he was not riding around on his tractor or fixing something.

After he retired, Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife, Brenda, and they had many adventures watching the wildlife on their road trips, admiring the mountains, or relaxing on a cruise. He was always happiest when his wife, kids, and grandkids were around, too, and felt blessed to be able to celebrate many birthdays, weddings, graduations, sporting events, recitals, and other life events with them whenever he could.

One of Jim's favorite pastimes was meeting people wherever he went or saying hello to his neighbors from his porch. One of his favorite questions was "do you go to church?" because he loved to tell people about Jesus, and he would tell them, "you gotta know Jesus!" He was not shy at all about sharing the gospel in Home Depot, McDonald's, or other places he frequented, and he spent many hours with many preachers on visitation. If you asked his advice, it always included wise counsel and a reminder to "pray about it." The song "Thank You for Giving to the Lord" was written for people like Jim who served the Lord selflessly and lovingly for his whole life.

If you knew Jim well, you know he loved to tease people and they loved to tease him back. Here on Earth, he was lovingly called "Jimbo" or "Trouble" by some, admired as "Brother Jim" by others at church, and called "Honey," "Daddy" or "Grandpa" by those who were blessed to be his family. In Heaven, in the last few minutes of his 85th earthly birthday, we are certain he was welcomed as a "Son of the King" when he met his beloved Lord and Savior face to face to celebrate eternally with Him and with those who went before him.