James A. Carter, Jr., 97, of Tulsa, OK, passed away May 24, 2026. James (Jim) was born to James and Hazel Carter on October 31, 1928, in Woodward, Oklahoma. He grew up in Altus, OK, graduated from Altus High School in 1946 and attended Oklahoma University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Pick and Hammer club, Sigma Gamma Epsilon National Honor Society for the Earth Sciences, and received a B.S. in Geology degree in 1950.

Shortly after Jim joined the master’s program in Geology, his studies were interrupted for a little under three years while he served in the U.S. Army. His tour of duty included 19 months with a training battalion in Japan as an Artillery Officer. Fortunately, after 7 months an armistice was declared in Korea. He remained in Japan for almost a year and then was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant allowing him to return to school. While working on his thesis, he did research in Osage County, including areas that are now called the “Tallgrass Prairie” and obtained a Master’s in Geology in 1954 from the University of Oklahoma.

Jim worked as a Petroleum Geologist with several oil companies from 1954 to 1969 in Kansas, Libya, North Africa and Oklahoma. These experiences, plus a trip to Europe, generated a wide variety of entertaining stories with co-workers and OU Alumni. Included were: The old Foley apartment house in Pawhuska, the Sahara Desert (of particular interest was the Ghadames Oasis), scuba lessons from an ex-British navy diver, bumping into a fellow OU geologist Alum in Madrid, and a notice in the Tripoli office that armed nomadic tribesmen on camels hi-jacked two company trucks for cigarettes, tea and sugar.

In 1963, he met Bonnie Drude at a Tulsa Press Club social and dance; they were married that same year. Together, they had two children, Stephanie and Michelle, and raised their family. Their journey started in Tulsa, took them to Denver in 1970 for Jim’s new government job for six years, and then back to Tulsa where Jim lived for the remainder of his life.

From 1970 to 1994 he worked with the Conservation Division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver and Tulsa, and with the Bureau of Land Management in Tulsa where he retired in 1994. He enjoyed dealing with all kinds of minerals and energy resources from the Rockies to the Gulf Coast.

Not many people can say they had a childhood best friend for close to 90 years. Jim and Tal Oden could as Tal is also from Altus. Many shenanigans and adventures were shared such as fishing and boating, plus too many more life events to mention. They stayed in contact throughout each other’s lives, picking up wherever they left off, no matter the time gap until Jim passed.

Jim loved nature and outdoor activities all his life. And in his youth, he earned the Eagle Scout rank at Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp (before it became Philmont Scout Ranch) located in Cimarron, New Mexico.

He and Bonnie both enjoyed raising their girls to appreciate and take in the outdoor world. Jim particularly enjoyed boating and fishing with his family and traveling to various natural wonders in the U.S. Countless days were spent sharing these wonders (simple or grand) together. Additionally, they were present and engaged in the ordinary and big life moments with their daughters.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister Camille Simmons and husband Dee; and wife Bonnie of 59 years (d. 2023). Jim is survived by his daughter Stephanie Weagley and husband Jeff; daughter Michelle Carter; niece Tricia Brockett and husband Phil; nephew Dee Simmons and wife Lisa and their two children Haley and Carter, plus great-great nephew Luka, Carter’s son.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for all the kind words and prayers. In addition, they thank The Stonehaven, Zarrow Pointe and Miller Hospice who also helped take great care of Jim in his last few years.

A graveside Memorial Service with Military Honors provided by the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Military Funeral Honors Team, followed by an interment was held on June 11, 2026, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, OK.

Donations can be made to: The Nature Conservancy in Oklahoma or Tulsa Audubon Society