James White
Jerseyville |
James Edwin White, 81, departed peacefully and joined his wife Priscilla and family at the gates of St. Peters on June 28, 2013. Jim was born August 30, 1931 in Jerseyville, Illinois. Jim was a lifelong resident of Jerseyville until his diagnosis of ALS in August of 2012. His brothers Charles, Richard, John and his sister Mary Jo preceded Jim in death. He is also preceded by his father John I. and mother Florence who he cared for until she passed at age 104. Jim graduated from Jerseyville High School in 1949. He played center for the football team while attending Jerseyville High School. In 1974, Jim was honored as the homecoming class spirit. Jim continued his service to Jerseyville High School as a Chain Gang Member for the football team until 2011.
Jim was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and served his Country until 1955. His military service is important to his future because that is how he met his wife, Priscilla Warring Merrick.
He married Priscilla on June 5, 1954, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Priscilla and Jim followed Jim’s military service and then established their residence in Jerseyville, Illinois. In 1962, their son, Brent was welcomed into the White family.
Jim was a long time employee of Moore’s Oil and Fertilizer, Inc., where he was a Petroleum Salesman. Jim’s natural ability to talk with anyone and make everyone smile was the key to Jim’s success as a salesman.
Jim was an important contribution to the leadership of Jersey County and the organizations that are important to their identity. Jim had a passion for antique cars and because of this passion; Jim was a member of the Model T Club of St. Louis, Model A Club, the Alton Antique Association, and the Tri County Antique Club. As a member of the Tri County Antique Club, Jim was instrumental in organizing their car shows. The Alton Antique Association was important for Jim because he and his lifelong buddy Martin never missed a meeting. They considered this meeting their boy’s night out. Jim was also a member of American Legion, the JCBA Ambassadors, an Elk and a member of the Moose Lodge, past director of the Jersey Fair, and after the death of Priscilla, who had Cancer, a member of the American Cancer Society. Of all of the positions that Jim held during his life, which were many, one of the most important was being a school bus driver for the Jersey Community 100 School District. Jim’s family would like all those who touched Jim’s life during those years to understand how important the children of Jersey County were to Jim.
His son Brent White, his wife, Donna, and his grandson Rudy White of Virginia Beach, Virginia survive Jim. Jim is also survived by many family members that include a brother-in-law and, sister-in-laws. As well as nieces and nephews, which include great, great nieces and nephews.
Jimbo was loved and will be remembered for his gift of gab, and his ability to focus on the positive of any situation. Jimbo never met a stranger and could always make anyone smile. Jimbo used these phrases often, “No Problem and Cheer!”
The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Galbreath and staff in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the ALS Foundation of D.C., MD, VA for their care and support of Jim and his family. The family would also like to make a special thank you to Tomieca Holloman for the daily care and love for Jim in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations to be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. til 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Alexander & Gubser Funeral Home in Jerseyville, Illinois. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., July 8, 2013 by Pastor Don Stribling, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jerseyville, burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville with Military Rites by Jerseyville American Legion Post 492.
Alexander Funeral Home
