Jim was born in Rome, Ga. on August 10, 1937. After high school in Cartersville, he joined the US Air Force in 1956, in Colorado Springs. Afterwards, he returned to Atlanta in 1960.
Jim began his career managing restaurants throughout the city, such as, John Escoe’s, Jimmy Orr’s, and Siccone’s, before opening his own restaurant in Peachtree Battle shopping center. Over the years, Jim owned and operated over 11 successful restaurants. However, Jim is best known for his iconic seafood restaurant, Jim White’s Half Shell. A local favorite among the Atlanta natives. Located in the heart of Buckhead, it opened in 1970. He ran the restaurant over 30 years, until he retired to the North Georgia Mountains. It was there that he met his love, Patti Howard. The couple married, and resided on a horse farm in Ellijay, before building their present home in Blue Ridge. They spent much of their time dining out, or cooking and entertaining for family and friends.
Jim was a fabulous chef, with an amazing palate. All of his years in the restaurant business gave him a deep appreciate of food. However, cooking was not his only hobby. He was an avid boater, and loved to venture out on Lake Lanier, and Lake Blue Ridge.
Jim was also a great golfer, and could often be found on the green with his buddies. He was a longtime member of Cherokee Towne and Country Club, East Lake, Brass Town Valley, Young Harris, and Old Toccoa Farm Golf Course in Blue Ridge, just to name a few.
Jim was also a lover of all types of music. From a young age, until his death, he listened to Elvis. He also enjoyed Sinatra. But he was really a country music lover, at heart. Merle Haggard was his favorite, as he was often heard saying, “Merle always tells a story.”
Jim shared his passion for American Saddlebred horses, with his daughter Shannon. A competitive hobby they enjoyed doing together. Throughout her childhood, Jim took Shannon to horse shows all over the Southeast. They even won a couple of State Championships, and placed 7th in Nationals in the early 90’s, with their prized gelding, Sultan’s Mirage.
Jim is survived by his wife Patti, his daughter Shannon Petrucci, stepdaughter Ginger James, 4 grandchildren Nic, Zoe, Lydia, and Vince, sister Mary Jo James, and numerous nieces and nephews, and is preceded in death by his sister Betty Lindsey.
A service of remembrance will be held at a later date, when Jim can be honored in the celebratory fashion he deserved. Jim’s final wish was to play one more round of golf, with his buddies, at Old Toccoa Farm. Although, his wish was not fulfilled, his spirit can be found on the 7th hole
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