James David Giachino

James David Giachino, age 90, died April 23, 2025, in Albuquerque, NM. He was born Feb 26, 1935 in Coalgate, Oklahoma, the second of three children born to John (Chick) and Mary (Forneris) Giachino. In his youth he was known as “Chick”. He attended Coalgate schools and graduated from Coalgate High in 1953. At the age of 11, he began working in his Dad’s barber shop as shoe shine boy and janitor after school and on weekends.

Mr. Giachino attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton, OK, for two years receiving an associate degree in 1955 followed by graduation from Oklahoma A&M College, Stillwater, OK, with a degree in accounting in 1957. He was in the last graduating class before the name change to Oklahoma State University. After graduating, he worked for several years at Sohio and Pan American Petroleum companies in Oklahoma City in their accounting departments. While working for Pan American, he attended night school at the University of Oklahoma obtaining a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).

In January 1964, Jim accepted a job with Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, in their procurementandcontracting department. While there, he attended night classes at Albuquerque Technical and Vocational institute receiving a certificate in electronics. At Sandia, he worked half days and attended afternoon and Saturday classes at University of New Mexico. He earned 30 hours in math and computer science at the University of New Mexico and was promoted to a Division Manager before retiring in 1996.

Jim served six years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard at Will Rogers NationalAirport, Oklahoma City from 1957 to 1963, reaching the rank of SSGT. In retirement, he enjoyed hiking along the Rio Grande River, the mountains near Albuquerque and Santa Fe, family genealogy in USA and Italy.

Jim’s Giachino and Forneris grandparents immigrated to Coalgate, Indian Territory, from Northern Italy in early 1900. Jim made several trips to the small Italian villages where they lived, once with his mother, and twice with his sister, Mary Ann. Belonging to a travel club, he made two trips a year to different parts of the world. Jim was married for 15 years before divorcing. He had no children. Preceding him in death were his parents and grandparents, an older brother, John Phillip Giachino and sister-in-law, Linda Giachino, niece and nephew, Lisa and Darren Worley and brother-in-law, Clarence (Sonny) Worley.

Survivors are a sister, Mary Ann (Giachino) Worley, nephews, Andrew Giachino, Drs. Brian (Libby) Worley, Phillip (LaDonna) Giachino, and niece, Lori Giachino. Also surviving are great nieces and nephews Erin Worley (Luke) Normile, Mitchell and Madelyn Worley, John B., Lianna, and Lauryn Giachino.

For the past 35 years, Mary Lou Boyce, Ph.D., has been an unwavering friend, partner, and dedicated caregiver.

Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, 400 W. Queen, Coalgate, OK. Visitation Saturday May 24, 2025 at 10:00 at Brown’s, followed by funeral mass at 11:00 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Coalgate, OK with interment at Coalgate Cemetery.