James George Whitehead

Celebration of Life

September 28, 1945 - March 7, 2016

Known for his tenacity for life, Jim Whitehead passed away peacefully at his Launiuopoko home, March 7, 2016, after suffering a long battle with a debilitating disease. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Elizabeth, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. He was 70 years old.

Born in Cloquet, Minnesota, Jim spent his childhood in Fort Worth, Texas, the oldest of 4 siblings. He joined the Navy where he received his GED; did three tours to Vietnam as Assault Boat Coxswain (1964) and Landing Craft Beach and Surf Salvage (1965); and was Honorably Discharged October, 1968.

While stationed in Oxnard, California, Jim met and later married his soul mate, a Maui girl, Elizabeth Gomez, who was attending a beauty college there. In 1973, he, Elizabeth, and their two children, Michael and Lisa, moved to Hawaii to make Maui their home.

Moving to Maui changed his life. As a General Contractor, Jim established his own, successful, construction company, Cherokee Construction, Inc. In times of great challenge, he fortified himself by learning to harmonize the embedded Maui culture with the ensuing tide of progress. He was passionate about providing for his family and was dedicated to the values of kuleana (responsibility), service, sharing, ohana, and community. He carved out a life likened to the renowned Horatio Alger's: hard work, commitment, community service, and family. Towards that philosophy in life, Jim was involved in the following:

Construction of affordable housing on Maui

Served on MEO Board

President of Maui Contractors Association

President of Mahanalua Association

Volunteered to build Lahainaluna's Computer Lab

Coached West Maui Little League Baseball

Jim thoroughly enjoyed reading, fishing, gardening, cooking, baking mango bread, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was all about promoting the values of education, sports, and service to his children and grandchildren. His favorite saying was "No pain; no gain."

Jim was pre-deceased by his mother, Mrs. Evelyn Franklin Whitehead, and step-father, Eugene Whitehead; his brothers, Ralph and Weldon Whitehead. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; son, Michael; daughter, Lisa (Ben Jon); grandchildren, Jamie Whitehead-Encarnation; Misha, Brooke, and Christian Whitehead; Kainalu and Ikaika Camanse; Teani Whitehead-Aipa; Mei-lin Aipa; and three great-granchildren, Joey, Jacob, and Aria. He is survived by brothers, Robert of Minneapolis and Edward of Texas.

A memorial service will be held at Maria Lanakila Church on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Private family time will be from 8:00 am - 8:30; Eulogy at 10:15 am; Military service at 10:45 am; followed by 11:00 am mass. Aloha attire. Lunch to follow at their Launiuopoko residence. Scattering of ashes will take place privately. The family expresses deeply their aloha and appreciation to Kaiser Permanente, Maui Hospice, and the many family and friends who shared their prayers, flowers, music, food, and 'talk story'. Mahalo a nui loa.

"We miss and love you, Jim. You will always be in the quiet of our hearts and memories. May you rest in peace. Love, your Ohana."