James Burl Eakle, 84, of Krebs, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Mitchell Manor Convalescent Center.  The family will welcome friends for visitation on Monday, July 18 ^th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home Chapel in McAlester.  Graveside services will be at West Liberty Cemetery (between Quinton and Enterprise on West Liberty Road) on Tuesday, July 19 ^th at 10 a.m. with Pastor Ralph Suter officiating.

Burl Eakle was born on April 1 ^st 1938 in West Liberty, Oklahoma, the son of Eugene Paul Eakle and Alma Louise (Mason) Eakle.  He grew up on his parent's ranch in the West Liberty area with his two older brothers and sister.  He learned how to grow corn, cotton, sorghum and other crops.  He also learned to raise and care for cattle, horses and pigs.  He broke horses and even did a little rodeoing.  He also learned to operate heavy equipment.

Burl went to Cross Lane and West Liberty schools and graduated from Quinton High School in 1956.  He married Jean Stubblefield and they raised their two sons, Dennis Ray Eakle and James Scott Eakle.  Burl made a living in Heavy Equipment and Oilfield Construction.  With his skill as a heavy equipment operator, Burl helped build the Eufaula Dam, State Highway 31, US Highway 69, and Indian Nation Turnpike.  Thereafter, Burl built "location sites" for gas well drilling companies.  He did this type of work throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, New York, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and North Dakota until he retired.  In 2006, he married Alice Foor and they lived in Krebs until his death.  Burl loved life and he lived it to the fullest.

Burl is survived by his wife, Alice Eakle of the home; children, Scott Eakle, Patrick Foor and wife, Teresa, Cora Foor Rizley and husband, Kim; granddaughters, Amanda Eakle Lynch and husband, Blake, Rusty Eakle and wife, Jill; great-grandchildren, Bayleigh Bates, Cathlin Glynn, Gunner Eakle, Savannah Eakle, Faren Lynch, Teddie Lynch, Gifford Lynch, Ashlie Foor Thomas and husband, Cole, Erich Foor and wife, Jeanette, Kyle Foor and wife, Darian, Katlyn Foor March and husband, Spencer, John Patrick Akin and Blake Akin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Eugene and Alma Louise (Mason) Eakle; his brothers and sisters and a son, Dennis Eakle.