Funeral service for James R. McGirt, 77, of Holdenville, Oklahoma is scheduled for 2PM on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Many Springs Baptist Church in Holdenville, Oklahoma. A wake service is scheduled for 6:30PM on Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Hudson Phillips Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at the Tea/Cornell Cemetery in Spaulding, Oklahoma under the direction of Hudson Phillips Funeral Home. He died on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. James was born on May 3, 1934 to Moses McGirt and Emily (Cornell) in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He attended Chilocco Indian School in Arkansas City, Kansas and graduated in 1952. He later served as President of the Chilocco Alumni Association. He graduated from Oklahoma University with a degree in Journalism. He was a member of "The Pride of Oklahoma" OU Marching Band. James enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1954. He received his basic training at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He was selected to receive Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida. He became a member of the U. S. Navy to receive this training and earned his pilot wings in June 1957. At this time he re-enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a pilot until 1960. James worked for McDonnell-Douglas in California for several years as a contract coordinator, contract supervisor, and branch manager. He was Chairman of the Native American Scholarship Fund while employed in the aircraft industry which sought contributions to assist in helping Native American children with college education cost. He was a founding member of the Urban (United) Indian Development Association in Los Angeles, California. James was a member of the Bear Clan and New Tulsa Tribal Town. His given name was Eco Coleca. He was self-employed as a professional consultant with several Oklahoma Tribes. He served on the Muskogee (Creek) National Council and was a former Director of Human Resources for the Muskogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health Services. His personal goal was to help the Tribal Government serve its people in the best way possible. James is preceded in death by his parents and an infant son. Survivors include his son, John Randall McGirt of California, longtime friend and companion Willie Ahdunko of Oklahoma City, his aunt, Lucy Kimble, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and numerous cousins, and a host of other family and friends.