Jim began his education at Friendship, a small country school in Oxford, Alabama in 1938. At the age of 15, Jim and his mother and sister moved to Tucson, Arizona where he graduated from Tucson High School in 1951.
After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Arizona, and attended classes while also working part time at the San Manuel Copper Mine. Drafted into the Army in 1953, Jim was stationed in Germany and assigned to the Army Signal Corps. In December 1954 he completed his tour of duty and returned to the states where he re-enrolled at U of A. There, he met the love of his life, Martha Rankin, while registering for chemistry class.
Martha and Jim were married in October of 1958 and lived together a wonderful 62 years. Though not brought up in the Primitive Baptist Faith, he loved the Primitive Baptist doctrine and was ordained as a Deacon in 2000. Jim’s greatest loves were his church and his family.
He leaves his loving wife of the home, Martha, five children Carrietta Lumia (Dave), James (Gaylene), Charles (SuAnn), David (Jenni), Catherine (Eric) and eight grandchildren, Katie Lumia, Joy White, Julia and Rachel Wagner, Coleman, Sam, Betty and Barbara White and Bryna Thomas (Chris).
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John Durward White and Carrietta Mason, sister Noma Biggs, grandsons Andrew Wagner and Marshall White. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, 9010 South Fairview Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
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