In the early morning hours of December 19, 2025, James Nelson Hewitt met his Lord and Savior at the age of 78, following a six-year battle with leukemia.
He was born on March 16, 1947, in his grandparents’ farmhouse northeast of Lindsay to Harmon Holt Hewitt and Mary Alice (Hughes) Hewitt, and he lived most of his life on the family farm purchased by his grandfather in 1931.
James attended New Hope School, located across the road from his home, until the seventh grade. When his parents purchased a motel and moved into town, he attended Lindsay schools before moving to Frederick, where he graduated in 1965.
While in high school, he played football and ran track for the Frederick Bombers. Upon graduation, he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he ran the mile relay. In 1969, he graduated with a double major in mathematics and coaching. After graduating, he taught for one year before returning to his roots on the family farm.
While attending Frederick High School, he met the love of his life, Melynna Ann Jackson. They were married on January 24, 1970, at Tesca Baptist Church in Frederick, Oklahoma. In 1972, they welcomed their first daughter, April, and in 1976 they completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Jayme. Together, they worked side by side to grow the family farming and ranching operation.
James served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 until 1975. During that time, he was a drill sergeant at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
In 1973, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, which altered the course of his life. Over the years, he served at Calvary Baptist Church in many ways, including as a Sunday School teacher and deacon. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church, Lexington.
James was a loving husband, gentle father, beloved brother, terrific papa, faithful friend, and servant of the Lord. He loved working the land and tending to his cattle and found joy in spending time with those he loved. He looked forward to summer trips to the mountains and fall trips with close friends. In recent years, he could often be found looking out the window at God’s creation and could easily identify the many birds he observed.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Melynna Hewitt; daughters, April Schwabe of Lexington, Oklahoma, and Jayme Wilkins and husband, Kevin, of Lindsay, Oklahoma; grandchildren Tyler Wilkins and wife, Caitlen, of Allen, Oklahoma, Brooklin Prewett and husband, Braden, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lindsey Wilkins of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Trey Schwabe and wife, Nicole of Lindsay, Oklahoma, and Jackson Wilkins and Kyle Wilkins of Lindsay, Oklahoma; and great-grandchildren, Easton Prewett, Carter Prewett and Tatum Wilkins. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Clark and husband, Furman, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Debbie North of Yukon, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Jan Jackson of Davidson, Oklahoma, and Debra Jackson of Ardmore, Oklahoma; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, Lew and Wynnell Jackson; brother-in-law, Tony Jackson; nephew, Brent Varner; and his dear friend and “brother,” Karol Finley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Lexington, First Baptist Church Lindsay, or Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children.
Friends and Family Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, December 22, 2025, at Winans Funeral Home. Burial at 3 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Green Hill Cemetery in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Funeral Services at 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Lexington, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of John W. Williams at Winans Funeral Home in Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com