Travels kept me from his visitation so I missed the wonderful stories and wasn't there to support my family for his last goodbye. We did get to spend time together a few weeks ago quietly watching a basketball game and I had the time to say goodbye while he could still hear me say it.
I just spent the last 20 minutes solo quietly watching the amazing CD that was put together for viewing at his visitation. Though there were tears I mostly smiled with an overwhelming feeling of joy for having been so lucky to have had him in my life.
The world was a better place with him in it and our family will feel the loss for many years to come. I am so proud of my family and their strength through all of this. This week they announced the creation of the Jim White Foundation to help raise funds for research and education about Melanoma cancer. I am hoping to be able to fund raise for the foundation as part of one of my races this summer so when the time comes I hope you will help support an amazing cause.
Christmas 2010 holding his beautiful granddaughter.
Spending time with all the family at a wedding in Chicago October 2010 sitting here next to his beautiful wife my Aunt Nancy holding baby Haley.
JAMES WHITE Obituary
MUSCATINE, Iowa – James A. White, 63, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle against melanoma cancer.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate the service. Honorary bearers will be Dick Berghefer and Harold Loos. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Graves, Dustin Ziegenhorn, Harry Church, Neil Bachman, Gary Wieskamp and John Peters. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Durant American Legion Post #430. A funeral luncheon will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nancy White to be used for Melanoma Research.
Jim was born on August 18, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Joseph J. and Edna Margaret Schlipf White. He was a graduate of Hayes High School, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of the University of Iowa, class of 1969.
He was a US Army veteran serving from 1969 to 1971. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year, where he received the Bronze Star.
He married Nancy J. Wilson on February 26, 1972, in Muscatine, at the St. Mathias Church.
He owned and operated Wilson Shoe Store from 1978 until 2005, and later sold cars for Muskie Motors.
He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish; the Knights of Columbus; Muscatine Elks Lodge; and the Durant American Legion Post #430. He had been active with the St. Mary Parish Council for four years, where he had served as president. He served for 12 years on the Little League Board of Directors and coached Senior League Baseball for many years. He had been a member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors; he also served as past president of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and the Greater Downtown Merchants Association. He had also served on the Main Street Muscatine Board of Directors, and the Shoe Partners of Iowa Retail Board of Directors.
He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them in sports events. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports with his friends, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games and traveling to Las Vegas.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nancy J. White of Muscatine; two sons, Jay A. White and wife, Cyndy, of McFarland, Wisconsin, and Andrew James White of Muscatine; one daughter, Amy Jo Gorham and husband, Phil, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Tyler and Jaden White and Dylan and Hailey Gorham; and one brother, Wayne J. White and wife, Bev, of Muscatine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
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