Nixa football standout’s house burns down, GoFundMe created as community rallies

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Nixa football standout’s house burns down, GoFundMe created as community rallies

The family of Oakly White, a Nixa football offensive lineman coming off his senior season, lost their home in a fire over the weekend, destroying everything he owned.

There were no injuries. The recent Southwest ******** signee was able to evacuate his mother, a friend and two dogs before the fire destroyed everything except a brick wall.

“I’m just trying to stay positive,” White said. “Stuff can be replaced.”

The Nixa community is now rallying around the All-Central Ozark Conference East performer through clothing and monetary donations.

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 which had raised over $8,000 as of Monday morning. Accounts across the state shared a social media post by Nixa football coach John Perry, encouraging folks to donate.

White has already received donated clothes and housing from friends and neighbors. Insurance will put him and his mother in a hotel, and they’ll continue to find somewhere for their dogs to stay.

“The support has been great,” White said. “Coach Perry and the Nixa community have been supporting me. We’re going to use the money for clothes and stuff.”

Who is Oakly White?

White was the starting center for the Nixa High School football team that finished as the Class 6 runner-up this past fall. He was a unanimous all-conference selection as a part of an offensive line that many regard as one of the best in the area’s history, alongside Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 high school class.

Nixa’s offensive line helped lead the Eagles to 3,710 total rushing yards and 58 touchdowns this past season.

White will continue his football career next season at Southwest ******** in Bolivar.

What caused the house fire?

White said he woke up at about 8 a.m. Sunday to the sound of a smoke alarm. He didn’t think anything of it, so he tinkered with it before trying to go back to sleep. It went off again.

White investigated the fire alarm the second time. He found the porch in flames.

White rushed to get his mother, a friend who was spending the night and two dogs out of the house.

White said an initial investigation believes it was an electrical fire.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader:

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