James Wivell

James Carl Wivell of Longmont, CO, born July 21, 1965 in Baltimore, MD, was killed August 28, 2013 in a motor vehicle accident involving his semi-truck in Quapaw, OK. Jim sacrificed his life for the safety of others during the pursuit of a bank robber. Having always realized his great responsibility for safety while navigating highways from coast to coast on 18 wheels for 32 years, Jim put himself in harms way. Oklahoma State Troopers report Jim to be a hero, having kept any other driver on the road from being injured or killed. Jim, born James Earl Oppel, to Theresa Gillece (Oppel) now of Vanceboro, NC, was the youngest of 5 siblings and grew up in a farm in Emmitsburg, MD. Jim married soon after HS and had 2 daughters, Lauren (26) and Emily (23), of Denver. Shortly after relocating to CO in the 90's he met and married Carri Daley of Longmont and had a 3rd daughter, Jami (15). Jim was a dedicated father, always trying to put the needs of his beloved daughters above his own. Though his profession kept him away so much of the time, his children and grandchildren, Logan and Riley, were his primary concern and he carried their deep love for him everywhere. Jim was a true patriot, always wearing some sort of red, white and blue, he dearly loved his country and the freedom so courageously earned by our military, to whom he was so grateful. He loved sports, having been an avid baseball player and umpire in his youth and he hated having to miss a Broncos or Ravens game. Jim had an amazing talent for singing, like his mom, Theresa, which he passed on to his daughters Lauren and Jami. He collected Elvis memorabilia and American Indian artifacts, honoring his maternal grandmother who was full Cherokee. While often a quiet, reserved man, Jim had a heart that will go on forever. He was the most genuinely kind man who would do anything for you and was the best friend anyone could hope for, never leaving your side and always having your back. Jim spent hours each day on the phone with his best friend, Korey Preston of Brighton, sharing his life as he kept rolling. So much of Jim's interactions were by phone but his heart was with us and will always be. He was dedicated to his profession, no matter how hard it was to always be so far from his family and friends, a strong work ethic he passed onto his daughter, Emily. But Jim always managed to be there when we truly needed him. None of us will ever forget his smiling blue eyes, his amazing sense of humor, or his infectious laugh that now rings through our hearts for eternity. As Jim always said, "If they weren't crying for me when I was alive, they sure as hell shouldn't be crying for me when I'm gone." Jim is survived by his mother , Theresa Gillece (John), his wife, Carri Daley, his daughters, Lauren (Snow), Emily and Jami, his grandchildren, Logan and Riley, and his siblings, Mary (Cakioussis), Patrick (Janet), Linda and Phillip Oppel, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and family on both the Oppel and Wivell sides of the family. Jim is preceded in death by his adopted parents, John and Silvia Wivell of Emittsburg, MD.

James Wivell

July 21, 1965 - August 28, 2013