James Franklin Slusher's Obituary
James Franklin Slusher, 74, an ornery old man, known as Jim, Jimmy or Slush to most of his friends passed away at his home in Afton, Oklahoma on Friday February 24, 2023. Jim was born on June 26, 1948, to James F. Slusher and Ruth M. (Barker) Slusher in Cheyenne, Wyoming, while his father was stationed with the US Air Force.
Jim was raised in Beverly, Kentucky on Slusher Creek with his older brother Bob and their grandparents. Bob and Jim was like normal boys that fought with each other but at the end of the day they still loved each other.
He left there to join the US Army where he quickly went to war in Vietnam. He told stories of how he got into trouble for stealing the General’s car with his daughter in it. While in the service Jim received a purple heart medal and a bronze star.
He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veteran Charity, a member of the American Legion, and also a member of the National Rifle Association.
After being wounded, he moved to Afton where his mother was raised. Jim married the love of his life Vickie Webb on January 18, 1977. He worked with Tom Frost at the local gas station where Vickie would ride her bike to town to get a soda pop in her hot pants he claimed. Jim also claims that Vickie pushed him off the porch when he came to court’n and he wound up in the hospital. She claims that is not what happened, and that he was drunk. What a perfect relationship. The devil and the angel 46 years later. They grew their family of 4 to a family of 22. Everyone he knew was treated like family. You were greeted with a tight handshake that brought you to your knees or when you were naughty you got a swift boot up your rear.
He drove a newspaper route with his friend Jack which turned into driving a semi-truck hauling for Green Leaf Nursery for over 43 years. Over the years of traveling on the road his hat became well known, as people would ask where is LA, Oklahoma (Lower Afton).
Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Slusher, his mother, Ruth Slusher, and his brother Bruce Slusher.
Jim is survived by his wife Vickie L Webb Slusher whom he married in 1977 and resides in Afton, Oklahoma, his two daughters, Rebecca Collins and her husband, Colt of Afton, Oklahoma. Michelle Nash and her husband, Ryan of Mound Valley, Kansas, his six grandchildren, Bailey Slusher and his wife Sandra, their children Thalia, Collins, Genesis, Haylie, and Aria of Owasso, Oklahoma. Ashlen Placencia and her husband Jesse along with their children Joel, Atlas, and Jesse of Vinita, Oklahoma. Grandchildren also include, Jack Collins, Paul Collins, Keagan Nash, and Kaiden Nash. Brothers Bob Slusher and wife Karen, Jake Slusher, and Clarence Slusher.
Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Afton, Oklahoma.
Service will be 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Afton, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the family for the grandchildren’s college funds.
Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Jim’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.
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