James "Sonny" Sunday White

A Celebration of the Life of James “Sonny” White will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with speaker, Dr. Hope Baluh and Reverend Anna Stilwell of DD Etchison Methodist Church officiating. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

James Sunday White, or “Sonny” to his family and friends, was born on November 19, 1952, in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Reverend Jimmie and Laura (Robbins) White. He grew up with his six sisters and two brothers, spending his younger years in Chicago and Los Angeles, CA, then the family returned to the Tahlequah area. He attended school at Rogers State University and completed his schooling at Baylor University Hospital, Dallas, TX as a Surgical Technologist. Sonny worked most of his career at Claremore Indian Hospital and WW Hastings Medical Center, completing his career as the Supervisor of Sterile Processing Department. While working at Claremore Indian Hospital, he met his future wife, Beverly Dick Blalock. He was able to fulfill his last wish to marry her before leaving this world. They were united in marriage on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016. He was a thoughtful, kind, and dedicated professional who always gave his very best for the clients entrusted to his care. Sonny always felt that the Native People were their best when given the health care that they deserved. Whenever Sonny had free time, he was in the great outdoors. He loved to go camping, fishing and hunting, and often had his grandchildren and family along. Sonny spent time with his family honing their survivalist’s skills. He loved to read, and could read a book on any subject matter but especially loved science. He was always willing to lend a helping hand by working on any and everyone’s car, even a stranger’s. He possessed the ability to fix anything. He had quite the green thumb and loved to work on his golf game or pass the time with cross word puzzles, listening to music, or watching OU football. He was an accomplished cook, and made some of the best Italian food. Sonny adored any chance to share time and a meal with his daughter, Catherine, and his stepdaughters, Mitzi and Johnna. For all the knowledge he attained, he remained a humble man that always put the needs of others ahead of his own. If he had it, it was yours for the asking. Above all, he loved his family and did whatever he could to help them and make sure they were taken care of. He loved all of his grandchildren, and became especially closed to those he seen frequently, while living with his sisters in Tahlequah, the last few years. For all he gave and shared, and all he had hoped to do, his body grew tired of struggling with cancer. Sonny passed away on Friday, October 14th, 2016 at his sister’s home with his wife, daughter, brother, and sisters by his side. Sonny was 63 years old. He will be greatly missed.

Sonny is preceded in death by his grandparents, Sunday and Lila White, Price and Anna Robbins, his parents, Reverend Jimmie and Laura White, one brother, David White and two sisters, Sharon Yell and Lila Ann Robedeaux.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Beverly of Chelsea, his loving daughter, Catherine White of Tahlequah, and two step daughters, Mitzi Blalock and Johnna Blalock both of Chelsea, and his Godson, Jimi White of Tahlequah. There are four sisters and one brother, Margaret Nancy Bailey of Tulsa, Renata Sue White of Tahlequah, Valerie SpottedBird of Tahlequah, Billie White of Tahlequah, and John White and wife Loretta, of Tahlequah, four grandchildren, Rance Combs, K’Lee Mouse, Kenzee Mouse, all of Tahlequah, and Eden Blalock of Chelsea, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.