James "Bud" Sakmary

James Hubb Sakmary was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 30, 1945, to parents August “Gus” and Helen Hubb Sakmary. Bud went to be with the Lord on December 6, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's, just short of his 80th birthday. Bud graduated from McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin, MO, in 1963. After graduation, he moved to Tulsa, OK, to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics to become an airline mechanic. As a result, he went to work for McDonnell Douglas, working on planes used in the Vietnam War. He married Sondra Lightfoot on April 1, 1967, and in 1969 their daughter, Shannon, was born. Bud eventually attended classes at TJC (TCC) for computer programming. He was then hired by American Airlines, where he spent the majority of his career as a Program Analyst, retiring after 27 years in 2001. During this time, Bud met the love of his life, Priscilla (Capps) Teakell. Priscilla and Bud married on March 14, 1987, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in 1988 their son, Matt, was born. Bud enjoyed being involved in all of Matt’s activities (Boy Scouts and band). He also enjoyed spending family time on their property at Lake Tenkiller—boating, fishing, and 4-wheeling. He also enjoyed spending time supporting his grandkids in their various activities. Bud was handy with tools and could fix anything. He had an interest in classic cars, tinkering with and rebuilding them. Bud was a member of Jeeper’s Anonymous. He was particularly fond of driving his Jeep in parades and other “Jeeper’s” events. Another of his hobbies was skiing. Bud had a close group of friends and co-workers at American Airlines with whom he loved planning and taking skiing trips. Bud was preceded in death by his father, Gus Sakmary; his mother and stepfather, Helen and Dale Speer; and his sister, Sally Reeder. He is survived by his devoted wife of 38 years, Priscilla Sakmary of Broken Arrow, OK; his children, Shannon Best and her husband, Carey, of Austin, Texas, and Matt Sakmary and his wife, Brittney, of Jenks, Oklahoma; and his beloved grandchildren, Porter Best, Abigail Best, Cooper Sakmary, and Piper Sakmary. He is also survived by his sister, Dianne Lincicome, and her husband, Jim, of Little Rock, AR; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and special friends. The family would also like to thank Iris Memory Care and Frontier Hospice for the care they provided Bud, during his battle with Alzheimer's. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin, Mo as a memorial gift in James' name.

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James "Bud" Sakmary

December 30, 1945 - December 6, 2025