James Whitfield

James "Don" Whitfield

October 28, 1932 - August 8, 2025

James "Don" Whitfield, 92, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025. He was born on October 28, 1932, in El Reno, Oklahoma, to Otis and Emily (Harrison) Whitfield.

Don proudly served in the United States Navy. While stationed in San Diego for military training to become a sonar man for the Navy, he married his wife , Dorothy Rutherford. They began their life together with a humble honeymoon spent on the last $250 Don had-a simple beginning to a marriage that would last 72 years. Together, they raised three children: Becky, Mark and Phillip in New Mexico.

After receiving a degree from the New Mexico Institute of Technology, he became an electronics engineer at Sandia Air force Base in Albuquerque. Later, his father passed away and dad moved his family to San Fidel New Mexico to take over the Antelope Indian store operations.

Over the years, Don lived a life full of varied experiences. He served in the U.S. Army Green Berets and the New Mexico National Guard, operated the curio store, held positions as a Justice of the Peace and county coroner and had many other businesses through the years.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Whitfield; his parents, Otis and Emily Whitfield; his sister Judith Whitfield VanZant and two sons, Mark and Phillip.

He is survived by his daughter, Becky Hays and husband Jim; grandchildren Mark and wife Sandra, Matthew and wife Jen, Brady and wife Kristin, Phillip and wife Katie, and Kevin and wife Nikki; great-grandchildren Nicole, Chase, Chance, Logan, Dylan, Natalie, Kate, Ellie, Will, Bella, Madeline, Abigail, Kayla, and Kenzie as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss him dearly.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Don's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 22, 2025, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Tulsa Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74145. Family and friends may leave words of comfort, share memories, and offer condolences online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.