NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 PM Monday, February 27, 2012 at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia for Nathan David James, 96, who died on Friday, February 24, 2012 in New Iberia.

Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

Rev. Ed Degeyter will be the Celebrant.

A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home,

, 337.365.3331. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM Sunday. Visitation will continue Monday from 8:00 AM until 2:30 PM.

Mr. James was born in Newton County, Texas. During his childhood, his family moved to Merryville, LA, where he attended and graduated from Merryville High School. He later attended S.L.I. (ULL) on a football scholarship. After graduating from college, he was employed by Arkansas Fuel Oil Co. in Shreveport, LA. In 1944, Mr. James moved to New Iberia where he was employed as a Petroleum Chemist and First Aid Instructor with Texaco. He retired from Texaco after 30 years of service.

Mr. James was a charter member of the New Iberia Lions Club. He was recently presented a certificate of appreciation by the International President for his 58 years of service to the club.

He was also a member and past president of the Cancer Association of Iberia Parish, St. Peter Catholic Church Men’s Vigil, Holiday Rambler Campers, The Krewe of Iberians, The Hoedowners Square Dance Club, Pioneer Oil People (POP), Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Association, and Friends of the Shadows.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David James and Minnie James Willis; sisters, Allie Mae Carr, Verta Lee Mana, Viola Willett, Bertha Fay Davis; and brothers, Jack James, Ray Willis, and Roy Willis.