- Date Of Birth: May 25, 1947
- Date Of Death: January 20, 2022
- State: Michigan
It is with deep sadness the family of James A. White announce his death on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 25, 1947, to Benjamin P. and Lola (Owen) White, Jim was one of the ‘four Js’ in the family with siblings Jay (Jody), Janice (Thomas), and Joy (Robert), all who survive.
After high school graduation, Jim became a United States Navy Seabee, with duty in and around Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. He was honorably discharged in September 1971 and decided to pursue an associate degree from Howard W. Sam’s Technical Institute in Purdue, followed by a BA in Bank Operations. Putting his education to good use, Mr. White spent 50 years in construction, working as a construction manager for National Heritage Academy, Elmridge Construction, and Monarch Building Services.
Jim met the love of his life, Janice Ann Martin, on a blind double date in 1963 at a drive-in movie. He courted Jan for several years and proposed over the phone while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. The two were married on June 29, 1968, at Kalamazoo Free Methodist Church. They loved traveling and golfing and had many grand adventures over their 53 years together.
Jim and Jan were blessed with two daughters, Kristina (Joseph) Miller, and Cindy (Trent) Hayward. They also welcomed six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren to their growing family.
Jim enjoyed membership in the Portage-Brady Freemasons Lodge No 340 where he was an active member for 26 years. He was extremely proud to have been a five-time Worshipful Past Master.
Jim was an avid golfer and he and Jan belonged to a couple’s golf league for many years. He also loved the outdoors. Jim went deer hunting every year. He also enjoyed bird hunting and special game hunting. However, his true love was fishing. From the time he got his first fishing pole, he fished any chance he could get, any time of the year.
Jim always said he loved God, his family, and his country. He was a faithful servant of God through the very end. He was proud to be an American who fought for the freedom of all Americans. And he loved his family deeply. Jim was immensely proud of his wife and his daughters and the family they built.
