James Nathaniel White

James Nathaniel White, 76, of Altus, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025. Born on September 30, 1948, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Charles White Sr. and Willie Ann White (Boyd), James lived a life filled with curiosity, creativity, and passion. He had called the Altus area home since 1972, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him. 

A lifelong learner, James had a deep fascination with Kemetic spirituality which is rooted in the beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt. He was always seeking knowledge about ancient civilizations Egyptian history. He was particularly interested in the works of Sigmund Freud and delved into the complexities of psychology, earning an associate degree in the field from Western Oklahoma State College. His love of reading knew no bounds, spanning philosophy, religion, and literature. James was a gifted artist, expressing himself through painting and poetry. He found joy in jazz music, especially the smooth sounds of John Coltrane, and was an avid fan of Conan the Barbarian. He also had an undeniable passion for sports, having played baseball in his younger years and remaining a dedicated Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns fan—never missing a game. His favorite color was, fittingly, Dallas Cowboys blue.

Beyond his intellectual and artistic pursuits, James had a remarkable talent in the kitchen. He could cook just about anything, but his true specialty was baking. He took great pride in making cakes from scratch, with lemon, strawberry, and orange among his favorites. James was a proud member of Masonic Lodge #229, where he found camaraderie and purpose. His wisdom, kindness, and humor will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He leaves behind cherished family, friends, and a lifetime of memories. His legacy of knowledge, creativity, and love will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to share in his journey. James is preceded in death by his spouse, JoAnn Pride; parents, Charles White Sr. and Willie Ann; daughter, Yvette Wilson; sisters, Bertha Nelson, Juanita Vaughn, Joyce Shivers, Sue Shivers, and Dessie Shivers. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Dana Pride, Shadia Pride, Tedrick Shivers, and Sonya Greer; brothers, Charles White Jr., Henry Shivers, James Shivers, Prince White and Cordia Shivers; grandchildren, Hunter James Wilson, Gabriel Dodson, Uriel Dodson, and Aurora Pride; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, February 27th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 28th, in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at the Altus City Cemetery. Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com. The service livestream may be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczOTkyNjUxMjM1MDUyMiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==.