Funeral service for SFC (Retired) James B. "J.B." Love will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Rev. Timothy Wangerin, Pastor officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Post Cemetery, Fort Sill, under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

SFC (Retired) James B. "J.B." Love, age 67, Lawton, died Thursday, October 13, 2016 in Lawton.  J.B. was born September 4, 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana.  He lived many places during his youth as his family followed his father's Air Force career.  J.B. graduated high school at Johnson Air Force Base in Japan and later received his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma.  He married Cassie Walter on January 10, 1970 at Shreveport, Louisiana.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and served until his retirement on July 31, 1987.  He was a Vietnam veteran and his awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, two Overseas Service Bars, Army Occupation Medal, Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Army Service Ribbon, Soldier's Medal, Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, three Overseas Service Ribbons and two NCO Professional Development Ribbons.

Following his retirement from the Army he lived in Shreveport where he worked for a newspaper and as a car salesman for a short time.  J.B. returned to Fort Sill to work for Civil Service in 1989 and retired November of 2014.  He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  He was an avid reader and loved history.  He also enjoyed his weekly meetings with the "Lunch Bunch" and the "Cops Breakfast".

Survivors include his wife, Cassie, of the home; two children Leigh Roper and husband Glenn, Sachse, Texas and LTC James Bryant Love, Jr. and wife Nikki, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; six grandchildren, Sarah and Ryan Roper and Garrett, Emily, Hanna and Kendall Love; his step sister, Linda Leglu, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

His parents and a step brother, John McDowell, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2105 NW 38th Street, Lawton OK 73505.