James Nathaniel Prince, 73, of Indianola, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022 in Tulsa.  The family will welcome friends for visitation at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home on Sunday, September 4, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Funeral services, with Masonic rites, will be Monday, September 5, at 2:00 p.m. at the Indianola School Gymnasium.  Burial will follow at Indianola Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Jerry Vest, Dan McGee, Burt Thomas, John Watson, Jimmy Prince, and Ronnie Allford.  Honorary pallbearers are members of the Gains Creek Association and District 27 Masons.

James Prince was born on October 12, 1948, in McAlester, to William Fender Prince and Mary Emaline (Smith) Prince.  He grew up in McAlester, where he attended school, and soon after high school, in 1969, he made Indianola his home for life.  He married Ruth Ann Albin in December of 1973.  James worked at the Army Ammunition Plant as a planner and estimator, for 38 years, until his retirement.

James was very active and involved in many things.  He was a dedicated member of the Canadian Masonic Lodge #22, where he served as treasurer for 22 years.  He served as mayor and sheriff of Indianola for several years; served on the Indianola School Board; was a volunteer fire fighter; and was active in the Senior Citizens of Indianola.  He also delivered Meals on Wheels for several years.  In his younger years, he sang with a gospel group called The MelodyAires.  He was a long-time member of the New Hope Free Will Baptist Church.

James is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Prince; his children, Ashley Sylvester of Moore, and James Prince, Jr. of Sapulpa; 6 grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Micky Prince; and a sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Benny Dassler.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Thomas Prince; his grandparents, Thelma McMahan Smith and Thomas Jefferson Smith, and Maggie Lucinda (Brown) Prince and Jocephus Prince; a son-in-law, Jason Sylvester; and a half-sister, Emmadene Boatright.