Updated: 18 Apr 2007
The Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
11/18/2000
James Wylie (Jim) Quillian, 82, of Oklahoma City died peacefully on Nov 16 following a lengthy illness. He was born September 26, 1918 in Jacksonville, FL to James W. and Blanche (Dickey) Quillian, lived and attended school in Daytona Beach FL. He worked his way through Georgia Tech in Atlanta GA, earning his civil engineering degree in 1942, and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After graduation, he elected to serve his country during wartime, entered Officers Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Corps. While temporarily stationed in Oklahoma City, he attended a function at St. Luke's Methodist Church, where he met the love of his life, Flora Mae Cravens. They were married on Dec 21, 1944, and the following week he was shipped out to the Philippine Islands, where he served as an ordnance officer with the 13th Air Force.
Following his tour overseas he returned to the US in 1946, was honorably discharged with the rank of Major, and settled in Oklahoma City. He immediately began a career in business that would span more than 45 years. With his father-in-law, R.D. Cravens, he founded Cravens-Quillian Mortgage Co., a respected mortgage banking firm having correspondent relationships with numerous life insurance companies, and headed this firm until his retirement in 1993. He was also active in the real estate management and appraisal industries. Although he was involved in many civic organizations and clubs such as Down town Rotary, Oklahoma County Mental Health Board, Downtown Now!, Lindenwood College (St. Charles, MO), Mortgage Bankers Association and The Beacon Club, his primary focus in life was his family. He relished his involvement in family activities, especially annual family vacations, American Saddle Bred horse shows throughout the southwest, Sunday lunches and fishing adventures at Cravenswood, and YMCA youth baseball as scorekeeper for his son's teams. He was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Hugo Quillian, and a grandson,
Jimmy Hyde. He is survived by his loving wife of more than 55 years, Flora Mae of the home; daughters, Mollie Chrisman and husband, Gary, and Sally L. Quillian, son Jay Quillian and his wife, Barbara.
Jim is also survived by grandchildren, Rev. Laurie Hyde Moeller and husband, Rev. John of Carrollton, GA, Caroline Chrisman and Conner Chrisman, Kelsey Quillian, and his grandson and Theta Chi brother, Patrick Quillian, all of whom will miss their loving and devoted grandfather.
The family wishes to thank all those who worked so diligently to make his final days as comfortable as possible, including the staff at Bellevue Nursing and Rehab Center, Medical Plaza Dialysis, Hospice of OK CO and Cindy Bryant. Memorials may be sent to St. Luke's Foundation, Hospice of Oklahoma County or charity of choice.
Services will be held at St. Luke's on Monday Nov 20, 2000 at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.
Smith & Kernke Funeral Home 14624 N May Ave.
Submitted by Paula < Ch2mglider@aol.com > Jan 2002.