James Wilson "J.W." McAlister, 89, went home to Heaven on Thursday, November 22, 2012. J.W. was born in Alex, Oklahoma on June 20, 1923 to Evie Mary Timberlake McAlister and Frank McAlister. J.W.'s parents were sharecroppers in Grandy County, OK, and J.W. went to school in Wayne, OK. Marriage, divorce, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl caused J.W.'s family to scatter, leaving young J.W. to fend for himself at the age of 15 years. At 17, he was able to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, and worked at a camp near Cheyenne, OK until the outbreak of World War II. J.W. joined the Army in 1942. J.W. served his country faithfully as a company clerk in an Infantry Battalion in England, Germany and France. J.W. came back to Oklahoma to live in Oklahoma City in 1946. There he met and married his wife of 64 years, Josephine "Jo" Elizabeth (Agnew) McAlister. J.W. joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department and worked as a firefighter, attaining the rank of Captain. J.W. was a hobby Gardener, taking pride in the appearance of his home and yard. J.W. is survived by his wife, Jo, and four children: David McAlister and wife Janet of Charlotte, TN, Tom McAlister and wife Evelyn of Rogers, Ark, Jane Igo and husband Robert of Edmond, OK, and Susan Stanford and husband Rex of Norman, OK. J.W. and Jo had eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. J.W. was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Grover McAlister, and three sisters Aileen Rippee, Marie Goldsby, and Eloise Scarcinelli. J.W. died at home following a lengthy illness, during which he was administered to faithfully by his wife, two daughters Jane and Susan, granddaughters Julie Rich and Laura Young, and caregivers Chrystal and Dannelle. Graveside memorial services will be Saturday, November 24, 2:00pm at Bethany Cemetery, N.W. 63rd St. & Rockwell Ave.