James (Jim) Curtice Albright, went to be with the Lord at the age of 96 at his home on April 16, 2026. Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Sunnybrook Christian Church in Stillwater. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Highland Cemetery in Winfield Kansas. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Jim came into this world in Madison, Wisconsin on September 8, 1929. He was the second of three sons of his parents Penrose Strong and Mary Lucas Albright of Winfield, Kansas. Jim lived long enough to meet his first great-great-grandson in addition to his four children, 10 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jim's early years were in Winfield, KS. The family moved to Wichita in 1943 where he finished high school and did his undergrad at Wichita State University. Jim then went to Oklahoma University for graduate school. At a "beginning of school" church mixer, he met Velma Lee Pliley of Hooker, OK, and they married the following June--a marriage that lasted 70 years.

After earning his PhD in physics, he was employed by Conoco Oil Company in Ponca City, OK. Conoco loaned him to Oasis Oil Company in Tripoli, Libya from 1970 to 1974. In 1992, the family moved to Stillwater, OK and Jim retired from Conoco in 1993 after 37 years. Jim was recognized for his contribution in the research field of electric well logging. He was a charter member (Member #2) of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysists. He has also been a member of the American Physical Society, Sigma Xi, Pi Mu Epsilon and of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers.

His community activities include Ponca Playhouse, Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls--yes, even dads had to pitch in when the daughters command! He joined Rotary in 1977 where he served in various capacities in Ponca City and Stillwater. With Rotary, he was particularly involved with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards--aka RYLA.

One of Jim's dreams was to become a pilot which was realized in 1987. He continued to earn his instrument rating, his commercial pilot's license, and became a Certified Flight Instructor. He enjoyed taking trips with Velma to places like the Panhandle to work at the farm or to the National Association of Christian Churches convention in Indianapolis, or to take kids and grandkids places. Friends from church also appear in his logbooks. But his most satisfying flying came when he flew for "Angel Flight," ferrying patients and their families to or from a distant medical appointment.

Jim was a member of Eastern Heights Christian Church in Ponca City. He served as an elder and served missionaries and their needs in different ways. In Stillwater, he was a member of Sunnybrook Christian Church where he served particularly on the missions committee. He was also a member of Gideons International.

Jim grew up with close family ties. Living in Ponca City meant that the family could visit grandparents in Hooker and Wichita, and with aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. For years, while his children were growing up, all four of their grandparents were present around the Christmas dinner table. Jim and Velma had a goal for their grandchildren to get to know each other. When their own children began raising their families in different parts of the world, Jim and Velma made it a point to have family reunions whenever it was possible for the kids to be together. Places like Branson, Padre Island, Grapevine, and Switzerland provided opportunities for grandkids to have fun together and sometime get into mischief together.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Velma, their adopted daughter Jennifer Gayle, his brother Penrose Albright and his wife Cachita.

He is survived by his brother John Albright and wife Sharon, son James Pliley Albright and wife Kathryn, daughter Kristine Albright Stafford and husband Joseph, daughter Tamera Albright Mayo and husband Steven; Grandchildren, James Maxwell Albright and wife Elizabeth, Elizabeth Anne Albright and husband Olen Weaver, Jordan Albright and wife Amanda, Lydia Bardet and husband Wilfred, Suzanne Ashton and husband Chris, Leah Unger and husband Chris, Melissa York and husband Matthew, Joseph Stafford and wife Susan, Samuel Mayo and wife Michelle, Timothy Mayo and wife Lu, and Spencer Mayo; Great Grandchildren, Zoe Layman and husband Brad, Natalie Albright, Jaden Higgs, Tegan Higgs, Olie Weaver, Asher Janosek-Albright, Dakota Albright, Katarina Albright, Khaleesi Bardet, Heidi Bardet, Ronin Bardet, Simon Ashton, Samantha Ashton, Anne York, Samantha York, Adelaide York, Lucas Stafford, Cora Rose Stafford, Marie Mayo, and Marcus Mayo and Great-Great-Grandson Avery Layman.
The family would like to thank Ray of Sunshine Helping Hands, Stillwater Medical Hospice and Cornerstone Caregiving for their wonderful care during Jim's last few months.

Those wishing to honor Jim's memory may do so by contributing to Gideon's International at https://www.gideons.org/.