Jimmy Sellers

Published in the Tulsa World on 1/25/2008

SELLERS - Jimmy L., 79, of Tulsa, passed away, Tuesday, January 22, 2008. Born to the late John and Pauline Sellers on January 1, 1929 in the same farm house in Sageeyah (Claremore) OK where three generations of Sellers had been born.

He graduated from Tulsa Will Rogers High School in 1946. During his service as a US Navy SeaBee he won the All-Pacific Navy Wrestling Championship and was a finalist in the National All-Navy Tournament in Annapolis, MD.

While pursuing his education at TU, he was a professional baseball umpire in the minor leagues. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956, Masters of Teaching Arts in 1964 and his Administrator's Certificate in 1974.

He was an educator/coach and Athletic Director at Edison High School from 1956 to 1991. Best known as the wrestling coach, he also coached baseball, golf and even cheerleading, earning two state championships in golf and one in wrestling. In recognition of his contribution, the Edison Field House now bears his name.

In 2005, the annual Jim Sellers Invitational Golf Tournament was established to benefit Edison's Athletic Department. He also managed the swimming related programs for Southern Hills Country Club for 44 years. As one of Tulsa's most revered swimming coaches, he taught three generations and over 10,000 children how to swim.

Post-retirement, he continued his swimming instruction privately through last summer. He was a forty year member of First United Methodist Church serving in numerous lay positions; two-time Past President, Tulsa Knife and Fork Club; multiple office holder, including President, of the Tulsa Retired Educators Association; frequent donor and member of the American Red Cross; contributing author, Oklahoma Athletic Director's Assoc. publications; Docent, trainer and Speakers Bureau lecturer, Gilcrease Museum.

He is survived by: his wife of 59 years, Nita Sellers; 3 daughters, Sonnie and her husband, Richard Wright of McKinney, TX, Terri Homsey of Tulsa and Karen Sellers of Oklahoma City, OK; son, Joel Sellers and his wife, Lori of Phoenix, AZ.; 7 grandchildren, Julie Newkirk and her husband, Chris, Brandi Wright, Jason Homsey and his wife, Callie, Josh Wright, Lindsey Homsey, Thomas Sellers and Rachel Sellers; 4 great -grandchildren, Brandon and Jordan Newkirk, Hayden and Jackson Homsey; sister, Ruth Ann Rheums of Boston, MA; brother, Bill Sellers of Collinsville, OK; sister, Virginia Lee Martin of Fayetteville, AR; brother, Johnny Sellers of Miami, FL.

Service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, January 25, 2008 in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Provident Fund or Music Dept.

Condolences may be left at www.freemanharris.com. 749-3333. Jimmy L. Sellers VIEW AND SIGN THE ONLINE GUEST BOOK: www.legacy.com/tulsaworld.