James Tefertiller

Longtime Shawnee, Tecumseh, and Eufaula resident, James (Jim) Tefertiller passed from this life on Monday, January 23, 2017, in Louisville, Kentucky, near his son and family. Born in Tecumseh on July 14, 1926, Jim attended Tecumseh schools, graduating in 1944. During his junior year, "Tefie" traveled to Washington D.C. and served as a Congressional Page for Congressman Lyle Boren. Both in Tecumseh and in D.C., Jim was a top basketball star for his high school teams. After graduation, Jim joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II on the U.S.S. Riverside, earning the rank of coxswain. Marrying Mary Louise (Cris) Marrs, also of Tecumseh, in April 1956, Jim participated in the construction of both Fountainhead and Arrowhead Lodges during the same period. In the late 1960's, Jim and Cris built a spacious home on Malone Road in Shawnee and formed T&C Construction Company. Securing the exclusive rights for Behlen buildings in the area, T&C was responsible for the building of many of the Pratts grocery stores, First National Bank buildings, and a portion of Barnard Elementary School in Tecumseh. As an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Shawnee Elks Lodge, Jim took particular pride in building the new Elks Lodge in the early 1970's. Spending time on the water was a second love of Tefer, as his Eufaula friends knew him. Participating in hunting and fishing were constants throughout Jim's life and fueled his deep love of the outdoors and the Oklahoma landscape. Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, older sister, Erma, and first son, Timmy. He is survived by two children, Andy (Michelle) Tefertiller of Louisville, Kentucky, and Vanessa Zimmermann (Gary) of Denver, Colorado. Jim had six grandchildren, Drew, Lauren Arnwine (Josh), Zach, and Jessica Tefertiller, and Tyler and Annalise Zimmermann. He was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Avery and Vivienne Zimmermann and Jaden Arnwine. Jim's niece, Rhetta Matlock of Harrah, and her family of Shawnee, Tecumseh, and Harrah are among the Tefertiller family remaining in Oklahoma. Jim leaves behind scores of business associates, golfing partners, and many friends who will miss his good humor, strong work ethic, and contributions to the building industry. A private service for family members will be conducted at a later time in Oklahoma.

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