Dr. James P. Riemer D.O.

James Paul Riemer was born on January 14, 1951, to Verda Gwendolyn (Cummins) Riemer and Dr. P. R. Riemer. He passed away in Tulsa on Saturday, April 2, 2016, with his family by his side.

 Dr. Riemer, or "Jim" to his family and friends, grew up in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He attended Pawnee Public Schools where he graduated with honors in 1969.  Jim played all sports offered at Pawnee High   School and was a talented athlete.  He was quarterback for the Black Bear football team from seventh grade through his Senior year and held the Oklahoma state pole vault record for over three decades.  After that, Jim attended Oklahoma State University, graduating from the Pre-Med program with honors in 1973. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Nicewander, also a graduate of Pawnee High School and Oklahoma State University. While working on his undergraduate degree, Jim was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, as well as various other college organizations. After graduation, Jim was accepted to the Kirksville College of  Osteopathic Medicine where his father, Percy Roy, had received his doctorate. Jim made P. R. proud by doing the same and earning a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977. 

 In 1978, Dr. Riemer returned to Pawnee, Oklahoma, to join his dad in the family medical practice where he cared for the community for 38 years. He was a civic leader in the city of Pawnee where he was president of the Rotary Club, a Christian Church elder emeritus, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Jaycees, the Pawnee Hospital board, and the United Community Action Board of Directors.

 Dr. Riemer's professional career was exemplary. He was on the Oklahoma Osteopathic Board of Trustees for many years and served as President in 1999-2000.  He was an Oklahoma Educational Foundation of Osteopathic Medicine member and president. He served as a Delegate to the American Osteopathic Association for many years. Jim was honored with the Oklahoma Doctor of the Year Award in 2009. He also served on the Oklahoma Board of Examiners and on the Advisory Council for the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine where he was an assistant clinical professor training future doctors.  He was on the Oklahoma Board of Blue Cross and Blue Shield at the time of his passing.   

In his free time, Dr. Riemer enjoyed many hobbies. Among them were flying his Cessna 172, golfing, water and snow skiing, scuba diving, playing the drums with the "Echos" and "Sweetwater" bands, and most of all, spending time with his three handsome grandsons.

 Jim is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Donna Riemer, his son Major Christopher Riemer and wife Tara of Charleston, SC, grandsons, Adam, Grant and Noah Riemer of Charleston, SC, sister Dr. Jane Epperley and husband Dr. Barry Epperley of Tulsa, OK, sisters-in-law Bonnie Riemer of Collinsville, OK, and Linda Stidham of Del Rio, TX, and brothers-in-law Van and Dean Nicewander of Wister, OK. He is also survived by many cousins, nephews, and other relatives.

 Dr. Riemer was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Percy Roy and Gwendolyn Riemer, brother, John Riemer, and niece, Rhonda Riemer.

 In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

 A private family internment will be at Highland Cemetery, Pawnee, Oklahoma.  A memorial service will be held at the First Christian Church of Pawnee on Friday, April 8, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Thom Scott officiating. Services under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services, friends can leave a memory for the family at www.poteetfuneralhome.com