James C. Nathan Wheat

BUHL | James C. Nathan Wheat, age 18, of Buhl, Alabama, died April 18, 2015, in an automobile accident. Services will be at 2 p.m. Today, April 23, 2015, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel with Rev. Martin Houston and Rev. Albert Lyles officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Elbert Sr., and Sarah Ruth Wheat; uncles, Ted Strickland, James Dunkling, Edward Wheat, and James Elbert Wheat Jr.; and aunt, Linda Wheat.
Survivors include sisters, Erica Thrasher (Kameron) of Coker and Maghan Snow (Robert) of Buhl; parents, Chester and Beth Wheat; grandparents, Cletis and Bettye Strickland; nephews, Kolton and Kamdon Thrasher; nieces, Anna, Kayleigh, Kodie, and Autumn Thrasher, and Braelyn Snow.
Nathan attended Buhl Elementary School, Lloyd Wood Middle School, and Sipsey Valley High School where he graduated in 2014. He was a member of the soccer team where he enjoyed spending time on the field with his friends. Nathan's teachers loved his outgoing personality and most of all his imagination. He also earned his second degree black belt from Bailey's Taekwondo. He was currently working at Chick-fil-A in Northport and was enrolled at Shelton State Community College where he was taking courses that would allow him to apply for the X-ray Technology program through DCH Regional Medical Center.
Nathan's biggest passion in life was his church life. He attended Harvest Church in Northport where he was actively involved in the Youth/College Group. He enjoyed attending church retreats with his friends where they learned to love Jesus and pursue excellence in life. He also worked tirelessly with the Children's Ministries at Harvest Church. One of his favorite ministries was CrossRoads where he would help pick up school-aged children after school and bring them to the church where he helped with homework, played games and mentored them. Nathan's daily goal was to be an example to everyone of what God had called him to be, and he continually desired to seek God's will for his life.
Nathan also loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed going places with them and making sure that everyone had a great time. His nieces and nephews held a very special place in his heart as well; he adored them and loved the time he spent playing with them. He also loved hunting with his uncle Craig and his Granddaddy (Cletis). Nathan will be greatly missed by all who knew him and who had the privilege to spend time with him; he certainly loved life as was evidenced by the smile he always wore, and would want everyone to know that he loved Jesus and his wish was that everybody loved him as much as he did.
Pallbearers will be Robert Snow, Kameron Thrasher, Austin Prill, Kyle Smithson, Jeremiah Wheat, Lester Wheat, Jeff Wheat, Jeffery Dunkling, Howard Dunkling, and Kyle Dunkling.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harvest Church, Flatwoods Baptist Church, CrossRoads Ministries, Chick-fil-A employees, Phifer Inc., MedCenter Urgent Care Clinics, Ricky Watson, Omar Gibson, Sipsey Valley High School, Indian Lake Baptist Church, and Northridge Baptist Church.
Donations may be made to CrossRoads Ministries in memory of Nathan Wheat.