James Edward Nalley

Funeral services for James Edward Nalley will be held on Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at 11:00 AM, at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Bishop Spencer Johnson officiating. He will be laid to rest at Park Hill Cemetery next to his brother, Thomas Nalley. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Jim include Luke Peppers, Randy Peppers Jr., Zakery Peppers, Brandon McLaughlin, Joseph Arnold, and Luken Peppers. Honorary pallbearers include Mateo Jaramillo, Kris Guinn, and Makiah Hames.

James Edward Nalley, or Jim to his many family and friends, was born on Tuesday, May 21st, 1935 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Henry and Ruby Nalley. He attended and graduated from Tahlequah High School. He enlisted and served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1955 until 1960, working as an airplane mechanic during the Vietnam Conflict. Following the war, he worked for Sun Oil Company in Tulsa, OK, as a repairman. He met and married the love of his life, Cliffie Jean McCurley-Hill and they were wed on March 5th, 1988 in Jonesboro, AR. Together they made everyday fun. When he wasn’t working, Jim was heading out to do a little fishing. He enjoyed spending time in the kitchen and liked to make his famous brown beans and cornbread. There was nothing that he couldn’t fix, he was a mechanic at heart. James had taught himself to play guitar in his youth, and enjoyed playing and singing music when he had the chance. He often took the children for rides on the backhoe, and enjoyed the wide eyed wonder of their enjoyment. Evenings found him resting in his favorite easy chair with his two favorite canine companions, Laverne and Shirley, watching the National Geographic Channel. He was a supportive member of the NRA, and belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was tough but loving, shy but courageous. He never tired of taking care of those around him. He was honorable and a man of his word. He was the proud father of his daughter Cindy and his step daughter Cindy Lea and step son, Roy. He passed from this life on Wednesday, July 29th, 2020 in Tahlequah, surrounded by those who loved him and knew him best. He was 85 years old.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his Mom and Dad, and his brother, Thomas.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Jean of the home in Tahlequah. He leaves his daughter, Cindy Kay Peevyhouse of Tahlequah, his stepdaughter, Cindy Lea Peppers of Tahlequah, and his step son, Roy Hill and wife Joy of Jonesboro, AR. He also leaves many cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.