J.C. was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, November 30, 1926, to James Carl and Treasie Alma Cecil Dishen. He passed from this life September 4, 2009 at the age of 82. The second of five siblings, he was raised on the family farm 5 ½ miles south of Podunk.

He left home at 14 to join his older brother in California where they worked on a potato ranch. J.C. returned to Oklahoma in early 1945 and was inducted into the Army in April. By October, he was abroad a troop ship bound for the occupation of Japan. From November 1945 until September 1946, J.C. operated a bulldozer in Yokohama cleaning up the debris left by the bomb. He qualified as an expert marksman, obtained the rank of T-5 Sergeant and was Honorably Discharged on October 23, 1946.

While home on leave in September 1945, J.C. married Georgia Boyd. When he was released from the Army, he returned to his wife and baby daughter, Arleen. He moved his small family to California for three years then returned to Oklahoma and began the farming and ranching that would be his life for the next 60 years. Two more daughters were added to the family: Darla in 1951 and Carla in 1952. During lean times, J.C. worked as a jockey, roughneck, bulldozer operator, and cowboy. He was Sheriff of Ellis County from December, 1967 to December, 1976. J.C. married Dene Kestler in November, 1979. This union added two stepsons, Elbert and Everett, and two stepdaughters, Louise and Ladena.

J.C. was active in the American Legion and worked at the annual rodeo for nearly 50 years. In his younger days, he was a volunteer bull-fighter at the FFA rodeos. This and other work with the FFA earned him Honorary Chapter Membership in 1975. J.C. was always a good friend and neighbor to all. He enjoyed reading, fishing, playing cards and teaching the grandkids about farming. J.C. appreciated the beauty of God's creations: the land, the animals and the people. He tried to pass this appreciation to his children and grandchildren. He was at peace with the Lord and was baptized in August, 2009.

J.C. was preceded in death by his parents, James and Treasie Dishen, his brothers Raymond, Max and Chester, and grandchildren Christy Clark, Greg Kibbe, Deven Hixson and Angie Brown. He is survived by his wife Dene, his sister Nancy Wright and husband Lee of Bahalia, Mississippi; his children, Arleen Hixson and husband Oliver of Arnett, Oklahoma; Darla Clark and husband Earl of Yukon, Oklahoma; Carla Major of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Louise Cochran and husband Don of Burkburnett, Texas; Elbert Kestler and wife Anita of Houston, Texas; Ladena Kibbe and husband Rick of Catoosa, Oklahoma; Everett Kestler of Gage, Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.