Meet The New Rider # 1330 Patrick James

 

I am Patrick James (#1330), and I am a retired Police Sergeant for the Ardmore, OK Police Department with 25 years of service. I have been married for the same amount of time to a wonderful wife who supports me and my crazy endeavors, and she also loves to ride. I am Native American, half Chickasaw and half Mississippi Choctaw. I am currently employed with the Chickasaw Nation Re-Entry Program for the past 8 years, assisting Chickasaw Citizens with barriers to employment. I have been riding off and on for approx. 43-44 yrs, dirt and street bikes. I am the past President of the Blue Knights MC OK VIII chapter (2015-2025). I stepped down specifically to focus and prepare on the Hoka Hey Challenge.

 

 

 I first heard about the Hoka Hey Challenge in late 2023 from rider #1026, David N. while on the Trail of Tears Memorial Ride in Tennessee. It struck me as a ride I really wanted to participate in due to its personal and challenging nature. When I returned home from Tennessee, I immediately checked, but I was too late for 2024. So, I waited patiently for registration for 2026 to open and here I am rider #1330. I am an Iron Butt Association member #82067, past Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and have many hours of training (approx. 900hrs.).   

  

The charity I chose to fundraise for is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My wife and I have attended an event in Texarkana, AR called the Talimena Rally Cruisin for St. Jude for the past 9 years. We started out with another member and his wife and now have gotten the club to participate in the rally, along with hosting a golf tournament in Ardmore, OK to help raise funds for St. Jude and to help sponsor the Rally. Of all the charities out there, this is literally a “Life Saving Charity” and my wife and I are proud supporters of St. Jude and the mission they are on. We have met several different survivors that utilized St. Jude and hearing their stories have inspired me to do more. With that said, St. Jude couldn’t do it without the generosity of others. Raising money, no matter how much, is a blessing to the families and it is an honor for me to give back.