James J. White passed away due to complications from small cell lung cancer, after an 18-month courageous battle on June 15, 2013. He was surrounded by his wife Patty, his three cherished children and the joy of his life – his seven grandchildren.
Jim was born in Anaconda, MT on March 22, 1942 to Jack and Ann White. He was raised in Anaconda. He attended Gonzaga then Carroll College, graduating in June, 1965 in Economics. He married his high school sweetheart, Patty Gardner, on June 13, 1964. They celebrated their 49th anniversary two days before his passing.
Jim’s life dream was to be a pilot. He joined the Navy right after graduation and received his Navy flight wings. He was a flight instructor in Pensacola, FL then served in Naples, Italy for four years. After ten years in the Navy, they returned to Montana to raise their family. He flew for the State of Montana, and loved seeing Montana’s beauty from above. Jim left his beloved flying career and went to work for Mountain Bell, then had a long career with the State of Montana. During this time, he spent 20 years in the Air National Guard and retired as a Colonel in March, 2002. He loved serving his country and was very patriotic. Every time he saw a veteran he would go to them, shake hands, and thank them for their service.
Jim’s passion in life was his family – his wife Patty, children and grandchildren. He had a generous heart; volunteering time with Habitat for Humanity, driving veterans to appointments, and serving as an Airport Commissioner. Jim’s favorite pastime was fly-fishing Rock Creek with friends and family. He was proud to be 100% Irish. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching each of his grandchildren perform in sports and activities of every kind. He was a man of true integrity, loyalty, leadership, and unfailing responsibility. His spirit lives in all of us and we will seek to make him proud as he was the best teacher, mentor, friend, and partner you could ever have.
He is survived by his wife Patty, daughters Katie White, Mary Thompson and husband Trevor, Sean White and wife Kim, as well as grandchildren Tanner, Colter and Katelynde Curey, Brendan and Reece Thompson, Carson and Eliot White, and sister Dorothy Greenheck. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and friends.
A graveside service with military honors will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison. A reception honoring and celebrating Jim’s life will be held in the reception room of the Helena Regional Airport located in the upper level of the airport immediately following the graveside service. Memorials in Jim’s name are suggested to the Lewis & Clark Veterans Council, C/O Howard Davis 1185 Sonoma Drive Helena, Montana 59601.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 20, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
Celebration of His Life
Immediately following the graveside service
Thursday June 20, 2013
Helena Regional Airport
2850 Skyway Drive
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 20, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Row
Fort Harrison, Montana
Celebration of His Life
Immediately following the graveside service
Thursday June 20, 2013
Helena Regional Airport
2850 Skyway Drive
Helena, Montana 59601
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Joannie Volesky says
Patty and all, I am so very saddened to hear about Jim. He was an wonderful and inspiring man to both Doug and me. I could see in his eyes and hear in his voice how very deeply he loved his family. Such a sweet,dear man. I am lucky to have known him and to have shared time at Jim’s beloved cabin with you. I will never forget. Love and peace to you all.
Linda Kirkland says
Patty and family, I was so suprised to hear of Jim’s passing. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. He is going to be greatly missed by all, as he was such a wonderful man, boss and co-worker. May his love for you bring peace and serenity to your hearts. My deepest sympathy everyone.
Mike gilleran says
I enjoyed and admired Jim and all his great family from day one in 1985. He was always kind and encouraging to my parents and my children.He took me on my first Smith River trip decades ago. We witnessed together an aerial battle between a mature bald eagle and two red tail hawks that we never forgot.As the years went on Jim’s version of the story had the birds in the canoe with us.He was very proud of his wonderful family and rightfully so.All the Gilleran family will miss him . Mike Gilleran
Teresa Enger says
Patty and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. What a nice man and co-worker. I enjoyed our many talks.
My heart and prayers are with you at this time.
Mike Lowney says
Patty and Family, Time sure has gotten away from us. I certainly remember good times at Carroll when I first met Jim and Patty. I am so happy that Jim was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a Navy pilot and going on in aviation to achieve his goals. Sorry time got away from us but Patty you and Jim are in the Lowneys prayers. Mike
Jon Krutar says
White family-
It is with a heavy heart that I share in your loss. Jim was a dear friend and a class man. I treasure all the time we spent traveling to the guard together. Much of his sharing was indeed about his family who he prized above all else. May he rest in peace and your wonderful memories of him sustain you in your grief.
Roger A Hagan says
Patty and family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Colonel or Sir (Jim sometimes) was an awesome guy. He was Dorrie’s Commander and she often remarked about his intergrity, values and love of country. I enjoyed all of my Air National Guard days with Jim. He always asked me how my family was and freely shared his pride of his children and grandchildren. What a guy! God Bless the White Family.
Sue Parrett says
Patty – I can’t tell you how sorry we were to hear about Jim. I had heard he was doing pretty good. What a great legacy he leaves behind – he was a wonderful person. I would go to his office and he would beam when talking all about his grandkids. He was definitely proud of his family. I hate to hear of cancer causing someone’s death – I like to hear of the victories. My heart breaks that Jim did so well, and then had this happen.
Our deepest sympathy –
Sue and Terry
Tom Layton says
Patty… I am so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. I had been told of his courageous battle with cancer and I saw him briefly with you at our Fiftieth reunion. I had not seen him since the summer of 1961, and his friendly nature back then, was something he continued to have, even in these recent, difficult health situations, by what I have read.
My condolences go out to you and your family and all who were fortunate to have known him personally.
Bill Shields says
Dear Patty and Family,
Judy and I were shocked an saddened at the news of Jim’s passing. He was a good friend; we were childhood “buddies’ from kindergarten through high school.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your grief be lessened by the memory of a good man, a loving husband, a devoted father.
May he rest in peace,
Bev Leary says
Patty, and all of the White family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. It was so good to renew old friendships and share memories with both of you at our 50th HS reunion. Thanks for the memories.
Rest in Peace dear classmate.
Bill Shea says
Patty and family:
Elaine and I are deeply saddened by Jim’s untimely passing. A life so well lived, a loving relationship maintained, and the passing of deed and love into future generation will exist.
Thanks for the memorable gathering at your lake house during the 50th-it was wonderful
Joe Dziak says
Patty and family, so very saddened by Jim’s passing. Fellow classmate, fellow veteran. God bless .
Randy Golightly says
Patty and Family,
Dottie and I were saddened by the news of Jim’s passing. In the 20 years I served in the military, Jim was the finest officer I ever encountered. He truly cared about the troops he commanded and was respected by all as an honorable man. Treasure the memories as you carry on Jim’s legacy.
Richard Booth says
My sincere condolences to Patty, the White family and the many friends Jim made through his honorable career and service to his country. He will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.
Melissa DeCarlo Ward says
Patty
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My heart breaks for you and your family. Jim was always so nice and pleasant. Please know that you are in my prayers and I look forward to giving you a big hug when I see you. I miss you Patty. Blessings and love to you and your family.
Jack Driscoll says
Patty and the White Family,
I am extremely saddened by Jim’s passing.
I will keep him and all of you. In my prayers
Jack Driscoll
John Boyer says
Dear Patty and family, I know that no words can decrease the sorrow and loss of your wonderful Jim. We have been friends since grade school and his kindness was expressed as recently as last summer when he called to encourage me as I went through my fight with that awful disease. I was so looking forward to seeing you both in July and give Jim my “in person” thanks for his kindness and encouragement. I share in your grief and sorrow even knowing that Jim is at peace and will remain with us in our memories.
John and Judy Boyer
Courtney Lyon Schuele says
Wow…what a wonderful family. Patty and Jim both always gave such a caring interest in everyone around them….what a gift. Your dad/husband will be so very missed. Much love to you all.
Courtney
Emerald Gilleran says
To all of your family, my deepest condolences. The handful of times I spoke to Jim I always felt encouraged through our conversation. Whether it was about my boyfriend in the Navy and the experiences he had to share about his time in the Navy, or whether it was even just about the weather, he always made me feel happy and inspired. I could tell he had a the greatest love for his grandchildren especially. My love and prayers. Em
Dodie Maricich(Osborn) says
Dear Patty and family,
I was sorry to hear of Jim’s illness and passing. It was a pleasure seeing him and visiting with him at our 50th class reunion and to also visit with you. Please accept my deepest
condolences to you and your family. I am so glad we had the time together after all these years.
Take care. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Dodie
Hilary and Bonnie Nickel says
Dear Patty and family,
We just received Jimmy’s obit from Hilary’s Mom and were so shocked and sad to hear that he had passed away. We have many fond memories of our time in Minneapolis and many Sunday picnics . You are in our thoughts and prayers and know that he went straight into heaven because he truly was a great guy.
Ted and Jan Clack says
Dear Patty, Kate, Sean, Mary and family,
We learned just two days ago of Jim’s passing. We were out of State that week. Please accept our deepest sympathies and regrets.
We loved Jim – the perfect neighbor, friend and, for me, Ted, the perfect playmate. One of my still favorite Smith River trips was the time Jim and I floated it in late October and had the river to ourselves, except for the embarrassingly large number of trout we caught, eagles, deer, bears, mink, otters, raccoons, the grandfather, father and son we saw fishing together at the houses halfway down and the enraged rancher down by McKamey’s who roared up in a pickup, slammed on his brakes, got out, screaming unintelligbly, and whaled the Hell out of a log with his axe. Jim and I just looked at each other, eyes huge, and kept quiet – he never saw us – until we were out of sight and then almost fell out of the canoe laughing. Our great Labor Day camps and backpacks in YNP also are often in my memory. We will miss him.
If there’s anything we can do, please call. Again, our deepest sympathies.
Ted and Jan
Jeanne Fullerton(Elsie's Friend) says
Patty,
Just spoke with Elsie, today 1/4/2014. She told me about your Jim. What a fine man. My prayers are with you and your family. Elsie said that you will be meeting soon. Enjoy.
God bless you. Jeanne Fullerton
George Livergood says
I just now learned of Jim’s passing. I only worked and flew with him a couple of years but regarded him as a true friend. Years later I find a void in my life from his passing. He called me out of the blue 10 years ago and reminenced regarding our time flying throughout the state on a communications project for the state. He said that of all the projects that he had worked on, he enjoyed ours and the time flying more than any other. In particular, he recalled a trip where he had me divert on a trip to the Chinese Wall. We flew the wall in slow flight below the rim on a smooth crystal clear day. It was like we were hanging motionless while the wall passed by. It was a serene majestic experience for both of us worthy of recall! He is missed.