James (Jim) Orvin Crist, also known as "FaFa," passed away January 13, 2020, in Port OConnor, Texas. Jim was born on July 28, 1938, to Orvin and Neahtha Crist in Oklahoma City, where he was raised and lived the majority of his life. Jim fondly reminisced of the early Oklahoma City; of riding the trollies downtown and into Norman for the OU games with his Dad. Jim was a lifeguard in his youth and graduated from Classen High School in 1956. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Upon returning from his military service, he attended Oklahoma State University for two years and worked for the Oklahoma City Library system. Jim joined Southwestern Bell in 1960 where he was employed for 31 years, retiring in 1991. After going on a blind date with Loretta Krivanek, Jim was smitten. He married Loretta, the love of his life, on May 27, 1960. During their marriage, they were stationed with the Army in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, lived in Enid, Oklahoma while with Southwestern Bell, then created their home, and raised their family in Oklahoma City for over fifty years. Jim and Loretta loved to travel through Europe and across the United States. They visited many of their former foreign exchange students and made lifelong friends everywhere they went. Their last adventure involved secretly sneaking off on a road trip to Utah. It wasnt until they reached their final destination that they notified the family by texting a picture from the Arches National Park. Jim was a man of many hobbies, he loved to bake, garden, and work in his garage. Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. He fished the lakes of Oklahoma and Oregon, and also the Texas gulf coast, including Port Aransas, and Port OConnor. After retirement, Jim took up baking and mastered making his mother-in-laws Czech Kolaches, which is when he then became a self-proclaimed Czech! Jim moved to Port OConnor in 2017 where he and Loretta had purchased their dream retirement home. Jim loved working around the property and enjoyed the numerous birds that frequented his pond. He received great joy from his sheep, which each had a particular name, and his special friend, Nacho the Donkey. Upon Jims retirement in 1991, he set upon a new creative career path, wood carving. Jims wood carvings can be found throughout Oklahoma Cityon golf courses, in businesses, and in backyards. He could take what others would see as a stump of wood and create a magical piece of art containing birds, raccoons, bears, and people; he could envision anything. He most enjoyed carving caricatures of his friends and family. Jim was a member of the Oklahoma City Woodcarvers Club where is served as a past President. Jim was very involved in the community, he served as a little league baseball coach, Putnam City West band booster, volunteered at the Community Connection and served as President of the Windsor Forest Neighborhood Association. Jims vast intelligence and knowledge of many subjects made him a great mentor. Friends would call upon him for all types of questions about wood carving, mechanics, welding, fishing, gardening, and cooking, and he always provided guidance. Jim is survived by son, Robert Crist and wife Linda of Victoria, Texas; daughter, Julie Taylor and husband Chuck of Flower Mound, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Robyn Torres and husband Andrew, Stephen Crist, Derek Crist, Charles "Chas" Wayne Taylor II, and Kyle William Taylor; great-granddaughter, Gabriella Torres; and one very special furry friend, his sweet loving border collie, Molly, who gave unconditional love and happiness in his final years. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Loretta, and infant daughter Jamie Lynn Crist. In lieu of flowers, please donate on behalf of Jim to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Saturday, January 25, 2020 2:00 PM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008