James "Butch" Nabors' Obituary
James Lee “Butch” Nabors, 79, a Vietnam veteran and longtime resident of Tulsa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 16th, 2026.
Butch was born in Tulsa to Jim & Eunice Nabors on March 3rd, 1947. He studied engineering and played football at Tahlequah Northern State University, eventually obtaining two bachelor’s degrees. In 1968, he joined the US Navy and served in Vietnam, obtaining the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. After his military service, he began working as an electrical engineer specializing in the development of medical equipment and at the family marina on Lake Eufaula. He was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.
On May 1st, 1971, Butch married Gale Strickel in Imperial Beach, CA. In their 54 years of marriage, they were true partners, as parents to both human and feline children, seatmates at the hundreds of movie dates they shared, and as teammates in the video games they enjoyed playing together. Butch was always tinkering and could often be found in his garage, working on projects, playing guitar, or flying drones. Friends and family will always fondly remember his love of sci-fi, affinity for mathematics, breadth of knowledge, and analytical nature.
Butch is survived by his loving wife, Gale; children Kathy Baggett of Portland, OR, Jim (Meagan) Nabors of Renton, WA and Jonathan Nabors of Tulsa; grandchildren Elizabeth, El, and Preston Baggett; brother Robert (Judy) Nabors; siblings-in-law Marion (JR) Rosenow, Lisa Blake, Robert Strickel, and Jody Nathan; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Jim & Eunice Nabors; brother Bill Nabors; parents-in-law Jerry & Lee Strickel; sister-in-law Joyce Strickel; and beloved cats T.L., Padme, Maggie Mae, and Leeloo.
A graveside service to honor Butch’s life will be held at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in the Veterans’ Field of Honor PH 2 on Monday, March 23rd at 12:30PM. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Oklahoma Veteran’s Association or the Choctaw Nation.
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