James Neeland

James Lester Neeland was born July 30, 1944, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Lester and Theda Neeland. He passed away Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. He was raised in Kingfisher and graduated from Big Four High School. He served in the National Guard before graduating from Central State College in Edmond.

James married Linda VanHorn and they had two daughters, Lisa and Jennifer.

In 1993, he married Jo L. Mabry in Hugo. This marriage blessed him with a bonus daughter, Donna.

He has five grandchildren: Allison, Rachel, James, Matthew and AJ; and one great-grandchild, Charlotte.

James had a bachelor’s degree in education, but worked for Gold Spot Dairy before getting a job with the Social Security Administration beginning in 1973 in Philadelphia, Pa.

His job took him to El Dorado, Ark., then Pampa, Texas, and then back home to Oklahoma where he lived in Kingfisher until 1989.

He moved to Hugo in 1992 and retired from SSA in Paris, Texas, in January 2009.

James served as a minister for the First Christian Church in Hugo and also the Presbyterian Church in Clarksville, Texas, before moving back to Oklahoma.

James loved to travel. He had traveled to England, Israel, Europe, Australia and most recently to Hawaii.

What he loved most of all was his Lord, Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Neeland; parents Lester Neeland and Theda Neeland Means; and his sisters and brothers- in-law Ann and Floyd Townsend and Jean and Bill Townsend.

He is survived by his children Lisa Weir, Jennifer Neeland and Donna and her spouse, Todd Miller; his grandchildren and great-grandchild; his sister Wanda Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for James will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Sanders Funeral Service.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Sanders Funeral Service Chapel in Kingfisher followed by burial at Kingfisher Cemetery.