Birdsong, James Michael (Jimmy)

Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
June 1, 2004, pg 13a

James (Jimmy) Michael Birdsong

James Michael Birdsong (Jimmy), age 57, died suddenly at home with his devoted family by his side on Friday, May 28, 2004, after a brief illness. He was born on July 31, 1946, and has been a lifetime South Oklahoma City resident and a member of the First Baptist Church of Newcastle.

Jimmy followed in his father's footsteps by dedicating his life to public service for the citizens of Oklahoma. As a young man, he began his career at the Oklahoma State Department of Corrections. Soon he joined the State Attorney General's Office and in 1973 became an agent for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). After being assigned to the OSBI Narcotics Division, Jimmy knew that drug enforcement would become his lifelong passion. He worked extensively undercover on dangerous assignments with a handful of very special partners that would become his lifelong friends. In 1975, Jimmy and those partners were instrumental in creating the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD). Over the years he rose through the ranks to become a Chief Agent. In Jimmy's lengthy career he had numerous major drug enforcement accomplishments to his credit including the 1975 seizure of a DC6 aircraft in Ardmore loaded with eleven tons of Columbian marijuana. This record-setting seizure stands today as the largest single load of imported marijuana ever confiscated in Oklahoma. The details of this event were later documented in a book entitled "Dirty Dealings" for it's substantial national and international significance. A lifetime OBNDD partner was quoted as saying, "I have never seen Jimmy Birdsong be afraid of anything." Jimmy retired from OBNDD in 1986 to spend more time with his family and pursue golf. After a short sabbatical, Jimmy longed to return to the challenges of law enforcement. He accepted a position as an investigator for the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, where he policed medical doctors until his death. Aside from his professional career, Jimmy was an outstanding husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. His family describes him as special, honest, funny, gallant, and the ultimate role model. He was s true hero and will always remain so to many. He influenced countless lives. Jimmy was a very enthusiastic proud father, always attending his sons' various sporting activities and academic events. In his spare time, Jimmy would be found painting, making silver jewelry, stained glass, gardening, fishing, golfing, cooking, flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, sitting by the pool, and spending time with his family and friends. Making annual pilgrimages to Sturgis on his Harley Davidson and piloting the family plane on various trips were adventures Jimmy always cherished.

He is survived by his wife Pam; sons Jesse and David; father Senator Birdsong; stepmother Debra; sister Nancy Brown; nieces Stacey and husband Jimmy Sconce and Jamie and husband Jeff Pearson; great nieces and nephews Rhyann and Dakotah Sconce and Lofton and Layden Pearson; father in law Emory and mother in law Noma Hayes.

His late mother Martha Birdsong and late brother in law Kenneth Brown preceded him in death.

JIMMY WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE,... LOVED LIVING...AND DIED BRAVELY. Celebrate his life at 10:00 a.m. on June 2, 2004 at the First Baptist Church, Newcastle.

Source: The Oklahoman.

Contributed by Marti Graham, February 2007. Information posted as courtesy to researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.