Jim was the son of Sirrissia (Smith) and Jesse Basham. He graduated from Okay High School in 1946. He attended Connors State College, Cental State and Centenary University on basketball scholarships. While excelling in basketball, Jim also earned his Bachelors Degree in education. Jim then returned home to become a high school teacher in Okay from 1950 to 1952. In July of 1952, he volunteered into the Air Force, where he served as an Intelligence Operations Specialist. Jim served in the air Force and the Air Force Reserve for eight years. In 1960, after serving his country, Jim resumed his educational goals and earned his Masters Degree in education from Northeastern State university. Jim then began a successful career in teaching and coaching high school basketball. His career path led him to several North Eastern Oklahoma High Schools. Jim shared his knowledge of the English language and basketball at Mannford, Cleveland, Sapulpa and finally Edison in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim finished his career at Edison High School as an English teacher, basketball coach and golf coach. He was patient, encouraging and demanding of all his students and student athletes. He retired from teaching in 1982. Jim married Kay Canady in 1960. They had two children, Jay Lynn and David. He was of the Baptist faith and was an avid reader and loved doing the Sunday crosswords. In his twilight years, he became passionate about the sport of horse racing. He enjoyed being an owner of a two time champion racehorse and several other winners. The light and sparkle in Jim's eye was his one and only grandchild, Rebel Lynn Hester. He loved to watch her play basketball and suffered through many hot and dusty afternoons watching her barrel race. He is survived by daughter, Jay Lynn Hester and husband, Mike, of Inola, Oklahoma; a son, David Basham of Morris, Oklahoma; a sister, Joan Kelly and husband, Jack, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; a granddaughter, Rebel Hester and several nephews. Graveside services are planned for Thursday, August 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. at Three Rivers Cemetery in Okay, Oklahoma.