Chief Master Sergeant Jimmy Atma, USAF (Retired), 77, passed away in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 10, 2023. He was born August 2, 1945 in Artesia, New Mexico to Nick and Stella Atma, and was raised in Dexter and Roswell, New Mexico.  After graduating from Dexter High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and served in Vietnam at Phan Rang Air Base & Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. He served numerous Duty assignments during his career, including: Lackland AFB, Texas; Beale AFB, California; Castle AFB, California; Kunsan AFB, Korea; Korat AB, Thailand; Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; Yokota AFB, Japan; King Salmon AB, Alaska; Cannon AFB, New Mexico; Clark AFB, Philippines; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Peterson AFB & Cheyenne Mountain Colorado.

His military decorations include: AF Training Ribbon; RVN Gallantry Cross w/Device; RVN Campaign Medal; Meritorious Service Medal w/10LC;  Air Force Commendation Medal with 30LC; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor Device w/40LC; Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/70LC; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/10LC; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon w/30LC; Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon; Air Force Longevity Service Award w/50LC; NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon w/10LC.

He received his associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor's Degree with Honors from Eastern New Mexico University and his Master's Degree in Human Resource Management from Chapman University. He also attended the Senior NCO Academy.

His passion and joy was culinary arts and cooking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Stella Atma, brothers, Nick, Harry and David.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nora Atma, his son, Jimmy, daughters, Paula, and Angela, his brothers, Robert and Mike and sister, Mary.

An informal remembrance of life with full military honors will take place on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma with Chaplain Randy Bolton, Lawton/Fort Sill Veterans Center officiating.