James D. Witherspoon

James D. Witherspoon, 91, of Ventura died Wednesday, November 7, 2012, in Ventura. Mr. Witherspoon was born March 23, 1921, in Elgin, Oregon to James Elvis and Bertha Witty Witherspoon, their sixth child. Raised on a farm in Eastern Oregon during the Depression, he attended a one-room school house on Cricket Flat near Elgin, and then went on to Oregon State University at Corvallis. In 1949 he met and married Helen Romsos Hohnstein and they relocated first to Ventura, then lived in Downey 21 years and then returned to Ventura. James was a business man and a true entrepreneur. He established Ventura Rubbish Service and later Porta-Stor in Ventura County. James retired in 1991.

James was a longtime member of the Lions Club of Ventura. He was an avid walker, and he enjoyed his retirement time gardening, following the stock market, traveling, and dining out with friends.

James was a devoted husband and took care of his wife Helen until her passing in January of this year.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Carol Hohnstein of Springville, CA and Grant and Phyllis Witherspoon of Ventura; daughter, Linda Jewelle Witherspoon and fiancé Craig McBride of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Jill Witherspoon and Matt Witherspoon of Ventura; granddaughters and their husbands, Wendy and Josh Ford of Oxnard,

Christy and Steve Choate of San Jose, Kerry and Ronnie Priest of Bakersfield; great-grandchildren, Kelly and Kyle Choate and Emilie and Aaron Priest.

Services will be held Saturday, November 17, 10:00 A.M. at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mariposa Valley Residential Care, 8217 Tiara Street, Ventura, CA 93004, where Helen spent her last days.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura.