Jim Rourke

Jim Annette (Warren) Rourke was born September 3, 1920 in Indianola, Mississippi to parents, Ida Bernice (Williams) Warren and George Lee Warren. One of six children, on September 17, 1940, she was married to Francis Robert Rourke of Beacon Falls, Connecticut at Greenwood, Mississippi. Jim graduated from Indianola High School in 1938 and went to work for Lewis Grocer Company (as secretary/bookkeeper at their flour mill). Following Jim and Franny's marriage, they moved to Avon Park, Florida, to West Haven, Connecticut, Houston, Texas, and finally in 1942 to Bartlesville where Franny was employed as co-pilot with Phillips Petroleum Company. In 1951, after Franny started his own business, Jim became his office assistant and "Jim of all trades" where she continued to assist as needed. Meanwhile she also worked at Landers Grocery in the bookkeeping department and later for Caldwell Architects as secretary/bookkeeper for two years. In 1962, Jim began work for Phillips Petroleum Company in Research & Development, transferring later to Refining Department, Supply & Distribution, Petroleum Products Group and Management Services from which she retired in 1986. Jim was active in Jane Phillips (Sorority) Society, holding offices in the local as well as national organizations. She was a member of Desk & Derrick and National Secretaries Association, where she also held chairmanships and earned the qualification of Certified Secretary and an Associate Degree from Wesleyan University. Jim retired at the same time as 23 friends from Phillips, forming a group called the "VIPs" who continued a close association over the years, many of whom having preceded her in death. Surviving are her sons, John of Lutz, Florida, Tim of Owensboro, Kentucky, Pat of Savannah, Georgia: one granddaughter, Mary Kay Arrington, of Lithia, Florida; one grandson, Michael of New Port Richey, Florida; one great-granddaughter, Jordan Arrington, of Lithia, Florida; and a dear friend and companion, Jack McClarnon of Bartlesville; and four nieces and one nephew. Preceding her in death were her husband, Franny; a grandson, John Russell; a great-granddaughter, Taylor Arrington; her parents; three sisters; and two brothers.

Service Details

Thursday, November 14th, 2013 2:00pm, Disciples Christian Church of Bartlesville

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville