Jim Sullivan Whinery

On December 11, 2015, Jim S. Whinery left this world and became an Angel. He was 92 Years old. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters, his parents J.S. Whinery and Maud Piercey Whinery and in 2005 by his son Jerry Whinery. In 2006 his beloved wife of 59+ years lost her battle with mesothelioma.

Jim grew up in Oklahoma and always had a soft spot in his heart for his home state. In 1943 he joined the Marines and eventually was fighting in the Pacific during WWII. He was a tail gunner in SBD Dauntless dive bombers. He was particularly proud that Pappy Boyington’s squadron flew cover for him. He left the Corps in 1946 as a Sergeant and in that same year married Glenna Joslin and headed to California with about $11 in his pocket. He worked in the shipyards in Oakland and then ended up in the Modesto area and started working for Local 442 Plumbers and Pipefitters. He was a welder for 40+ years. He also taught the welding apprenticeship class at MJC for 25+ years.

Jim was in constant motion most of his life. He and Glenna raised three children Jimmie (Marj), Jerry, and Vickie Solis. Jerry had one son Jay (Robin) and Vickie had 2 daughters, Heather (Eric) and Heidi (Shannon) and twin sons Tim (Nichole) and Todd (Melissa). He was also the proud Great Grandpa to 17 children!! When his boys were young, he coached baseball and was instrumental in the building of Bell Passi Baseball Field. When his children were older, he and Glenna enjoyed being members of the Sciots Club and he was an active Mason with the Riverbank Lodge for over 55 years.

Jim never met a stranger, only a potential friend. He was constantly helping friends and neighbors with anything they needed. He loved to fish and to tell tales of fishing. On one trip hosted by his Local, he almost won the heaviest fish contest until he dropped his fish and the lead weights he had put in the fish fell out!!! That was one of many pranks Jim pulled during his lifetime. There will be a Celebration of Life held in January, where the family hopes to hear many more stories about Jim.

There will be a Visitation on Monday, December 21, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm in the Riverside Chapel at Lakewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home at 900 Santa Fe Avenue in Hughson. The Graveside Service will be Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 1pm at Lakewood.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of the two charities listed here. Central Valley Honor Flight c/o Fresno Regional Foundation 5260 N. Palm Ave. #122 Fresno, CA 93704 www.cvhonorflight.org or to MARF Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation 1317 Knight St. Alexandria, VA 22314 www.curemeso.org.