James Ben Whitesides

James Ben Whitesides, age 69, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Jim was born on July 28, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Richard Darling Whitesides and Phyllis Jenette Warner. Jim spent his early years in Layton with his older brother and best friend, Jody. These carefree and easy-going years were tragically interrupted when Jody died in a boating accident in 1957.

A year later, the Whitesides moved to Kaysville and welcomed a new baby girl, Melanie to the family. Jim attended Davis High School where he served as the student body president and developed lifelong friendships.

Following high school, Jim enrolled at the University of Utah with his close friend Steve Randall. At the end of his freshman year, Jim accepted a mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Tokyo, Japan Mission. Jim spent the next two and a half years in Japan ministering to those in need and teaching prospective members.

After returning from Japan, Jim met a beautiful young woman named Kristine “Tina” Lindahl. After dating for two weeks, Jim proposed to Tina and the two married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 30, 1973. Jim called it the “quickest and best decision he ever made”.

After graduating from the University of Utah, Jim and Tina moved to Provo where Jim attended law school at Brigham Young University. Following law school, Jim and Tina moved to California where Jim began his professional career.

Jim worked for two years at a small business law firm before joining a family owned group purchasing start-up (HPSI). Jim worked for HPSI until it sold in 2017 and enjoyed the comradery of working with family. He also enjoyed creating a legacy and company that employed dedicated and loyal employees.

Jim and Tina spent 30 years in El Toro raising their two children: Julie and Jimmy. Jim was active in the community and coached many baseball, basketball and soccer teams with his children. The Whitesides also enjoyed vacationing together and spent countless weekends skiing in Mammoth.

Serving in the church played a prominent role in Jim’s life. He served in numerous leadership positions where he developed lasting relationships and helped those in need. Jim cherished his time as a temple worker and sealer in the Newport Beach Temple.

The culmination of Jim’s church service occurred in 2001 when Jim and Tina accepted a call to serve as Mission Presidents in the Japan, Nagoya Mission. Jim and Tina were instrumental in shaping the lives of over 400 young missionaries.

After returning home from Japan in 2004, Jim focused his energy on helping others. His kind and caring nature, sense of humor and ability to make everyone feel important endeared him to everyone he met. As a dedicated and original member of Mission CrossFit, Jim relished morning workouts with friends and family. He also enjoyed leading the Church’s local Emergency Response and Public Affairs committees.

Above of all, Jim loved spending time with his growing family including his eight grandchildren. He never missed a ballgame or graduation and was always at work on the latest homework assignment. With them, he found the most joy, setting an example of love, gratitude and humility that no one will ever forget.