James P. Okie Jr. ’64

The class lost a dynamic, stalwart, and convivial member when Jim Okie died Dec. 27, 2011, at an Alzheimer’s facility in Avon, Conn. His wife, Rowena, and two children, Jason and Lauren, were with him when the end came.

Jim prepared at Andover Academy and followed his father, Platt ’33, to Princeton. He was an architecture major who was a member of three Ivy League-champion lacrosse teams. He joined Tiger Inn, where he lived senior year with Jim Haws, Rich Intersimone, and Bob Moore.

Jim served as chairman of our highly successful 25th reunion. He was a natural at letting the good times roll. The Hustlers, the campus rock band he organized and in which he played drums, provided many good times for others.

After spending several years teaching and coaching at the Kingswood School in West Hartford, Conn., Jim left the classroom to sell real estate, a change that would lead to his career as a home builder. His continued athletic pursuits included playing for the Connecticut Valley Lacrosse Club and serving for many years as a ski coach at Sundown in New Hartford, Conn.

The class sends deep sympathy to Rowena; Jason and Lauren; Jim’s brother, Griffin; his sister, Cynthia; and his seven grandchildren.