MC James

Max Clifford (MC) James was born September 12,1933 in Balko, Oklahoma.  He was welcomed into the family by parents, Harold and Opal James and sister, Loretta.

After graduating from Bethany High School in 1951 he attended one year of college at Abilene Christian before returning home to help his father with the farm.

MC was a faithful follower of Christ, teaching Sunday school where he met and fell in love with Bonita Dean.  On June 5, 1954, he and Bonita married and established their home near Beaver.  Together they worked on the farm.   MC held various jobs, working at a local grocery store in Beaver and later in Liberal, Kansas at Beechcraft as he gradually developed his herd of registered Polled Hereford cattle.   He used selective breeding over 70 years for which he became well known.   In 2019 he received the Golden Breeder Award by the American Hereford Association, recognizing his efforts.

During that time MC branched out more and started a dairy business, working hard building a strong foundation for his family.  MC and Bonita purchased and operated a dry goods store in Beaver for 17 years in addition established a seed cleaning business for area farmers.

MC and Bonita worked side by side until Bonita’s death in 2000.

MC continued his life in Beaver County and met Becky while attending church.   They forged a friendship and later were married March 20, 2002.   They continued to raise Polled Herefords as well as cleaning seed wheat for the area farmers with the help of son, Greg, and granddaughter, Kara, for two decades.

MC was preceded in death by parents Harold and Opal, wife Bonita, son Greg, and great grandson, Zaydek.   

Survivors include wife, Becky, sister Loretta Almand of Ft Worth, Tx, children Janice and Tom Statzer of Edmond, OK, Denise and Larry Bennett of Okarche OK, Laura Ryan of Eureka California, Anna Templin of Tulsa OK. Grandchildren Jamie Farrow, Kristi and Kenny DeFord, Danielle and Chris Rankin, Kara and Carl Roberts, Dustin Bennett, John Ray Eccles III, Lynleigh Eccles, Mason, Samuel, and Paul Templin, Isaac Zein.  Great grandchildren include Ella Farrow, Braylan James and KaeDena Roberts, Kaden DeFord, Bennett and Case Rankin, John Ray Eccles, IV and may other aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to name.