Reverend James "Jim" Courtney, Jr.

James Virgil Courtney, Jr. was born March 21, 1925 in Hominy, OK to parents J.V. and Essie Courtney, the firstborn of five children. He grew up being called Junior, as well as Jim, Pastor, Daddy, and Pawpaw. James Courtney graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge LA in 1943. He immediately joined the US Army and was stationed in New Guinea during WW11. Jim claimed Conscientious Objector and served his country as a Medic X-ray tech in a hospital. It was during his time in New Guinea that he felt the call to ministry. Following the war, Jim came home to prepare for ministry at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO and began to pursue God's plan for his life. Upon graduation he began travelling and ministering as the doors opened. Jim was honored to lead the song service in a tent meeting in Baton Rouge, LA in 1952 for Rev. Gayle Jackson who was part of The Voice of Healing. That tent meeting lasted 42 nights with approximately 9000 people born again and amazing healing miracles. His passion for the lost and the miraculous was birthed and lasted a lifetime. God's plan for James Courtney included meeting the former Miss Ruth Simmons at a General Council of the Assemblies of God in Atlanta, GA. The two were soon married July 18, 1952 and made their home in Baton Rouge, LA where they pioneered and pastored Central Assembly of God church for 16 years. During those years, God blessed their home with two daughters, Janet Ruth and Renee Darlene. Both have followed in their parent’s footsteps, alongside their husbands, Mark Brazee and Mark Viar, pastoring churches in Tulsa, OK and Lamar, CO. But Pastor Courtney's pride and joy were his grandchildren. He was Pawpaw to granddaughter Tiffany Thomas and her husband Jonas and their children, Christian, Taylor and Isabella; granddaughter Brandi Vanderveer and her husband Josh and their children, Kaylee and Blakely; and grandson Josh Viar. Other pastorates for Pastor Courtney included First Assembly of God in Pensacola, FL, First Assembly of God in Terre Haute, IN and Capitol Hill Assembly in Oklahoma City, OK. If there is one word that describes Pastor Courtney it would be HAPPY! His smile and joy radiated from him! It affected everyone around him! On October 14, 2015 Pastor Courtney finished his race with JOY and joined the two loves of his life....JESUS and his precious wife Ruth in their eternal home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at First Assembly of God Church at 9:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Reverend James "Jim" Courtney, Jr.

January 21, 1925 - October 14, 2015