Paul James "Jimmy" Champion, 56, of Spiro, passed away Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, in Fort Smith. He was born Sept. 25, 1946 at Tulsa to Paul James and Lois Lavenia (Brady) Champion. He was a machinist. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Spiro, Choctaw Nation, UAW, He loved to collect knives, coins, shoot pool, play cards, collect Indian memorabilia and music.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Mike Champion and Cecil Howard Champion.
Survivors include two daughters, Latha Juanita (Champion) Risso of Los Angeles, Calif. and Emily Lois Ann Champion of Haileyville; five sons, Paul James Champion III, Brady Clark Champion and Jeremy Mathew Champion, all of Haileyville, Joshua David Champion of Scipio and Joseph Ira Champion of Fort Wainwright, Alaska; one brother, William "Bill" George Champion of Spiro; nine grandchildren; and the mother of his children, Nona Champion.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Spiro City Cemetery with the Rev. Rodney Mattox officiating, under the direction of Mallory Funeral Home of Spiro.