James Thilsted of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, July 13, 2010, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 80 years.

James Thilsted was born on June 3, 1930, on a farm in the Rose Hill community northwest of Alva, Oklahoma, to Pete and Freda (Eckert) Thilsted.

He married Lois Jean Hensley on July 9, 1949. To this marriage they had four children. She preceded him in death on June 31, 1988. On December 15, 1990, he married Esther (Sweet) Wareham and they settled in Blackwell. She preceded him in death on November 17, 1999, and he continued to make Blackwell his home.

As a young boy he began working for area farmers to assist his family. In 1943 he moved with his family to Alva where he attended Alva Public Schools until his enlistment into the United States Army at the age of seventeen. While in the military he was stationed in Panama as a Tech 5 grade until his discharge in June of 1948. Following his discharge he returned to Alva where he managed the Shamrock Station. He later began working for the Singer Sewing Center managing stores in Alva, Pratt, Kansas, and Wichita, Kansas. In the late 1950's he opened his own sewing center, owning and operating stores in Perry, Blackwell and Stillwater. In 1961 the family moved to Blackwell where he owned and operated the Blackwell Sewing and Fabric Center until his retirement in 2006. During this time he also owned and operated the Friendship Restaurant in Blackwell. In 2006 he opened the Friendship Apartments where he lived at the time of his death.

James was also an entrepreneur in house renovations. He enjoyed buying houses, fixing them and selling the homes. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, flea markets, garage sales, traveling, feeding the birds and his family.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell. He also held a life membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a past member of the American Legion and Elk's Lodge.

He is survived by two daughters, Bonnie Jones and husband Dennis of Decatur, Illinois, and Mary Hamilton and husband Randy of Alva, Oklahoma; two sons, James Dean Thilsted of Alva, Oklahoma, and David Thilsted of Blackwell, Oklahoma. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Penny Jones and companion Andrew Gross, Dennis and Lynda Jones and children, Devon and D. J., Amanda and Tim Sider and son, Aiden of Decatur, Illinois, Paul and Margo Hamilton and children, Hallie and Trace of Alva, Oklahoma, Lynn Hamilton, Todd and Kendra Hamilton and children Kelson and Tayden of Enid, Oklahoma, Craig Thilsted and fiancé Monica Cooper of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Whitney and Troy Pandrtz and son, Gunner of Newkirk, Oklahoma, and Bryce Thilsted of Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary and Ben Koop of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Christie and Tony Beadles of Las Cruses, New Mexico; sister-in-law, Rosy Thilsted, and many other relatives and friends.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Maxine Phelps and Marie Thilsted; four brothers, Bobby, John, Walter and Martin Thilsted; and a grandson, Robert James Thilsted.

Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 16th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Terry Martindale of the First United Methodist Church in Alva officiating. Burial will follow in the Hardtner Ellwood Cemetery in Hardtner, Kansas, with military rites performed by the Alva American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Casketbearers will be Dennis Jones, Paul Hamilton, Todd Hamilton, Craig Thilsted, Bryce Thilsted and Stan Koop.

A memorial has been established with the Salvation Army in Ponca City in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74361.