James Franklin McWhorter

He was born May 21st, 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA to Robert S. McWhorter and Edith Ann McWhorter (DeBussey). He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Eddie McWhorter; son Bradley S. McWhorter and his wife of 53 years Shirley Ann McWhorter (Wilson).

He is survived by his daughter Leann Blackman (Jim); grandson Nick Townsend; granddaughter Shelby McWhorter and great grandson Owen; brothers Bob McWhorter of Ohio and Stan McWhorter of Arizona; grand dog Bud and several nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren.

Jim Graduated in 1953 from Muskegon Senior High School, Muskegon Michigan where he was a member of the Thespian Society.

He served in the US Army in Korea as a company cook and supply records quartermaster for the PX and mess hall from January 7, 1954 through October 31, 1955.

Shortly after his honorable discharge from the service he renewed his acquaintance with Shirley Wilson, and they eloped to Indiana February 15th 1956 and were married for 53 years.

Jim made use of his VA benefits to obtain a BS in Hospitality Management from Michigan State University, going to school during the day and working nights.

He was always interested in cooking and managing kitchen staff. He held many summer jobs in local restaurants and soon began a career in country club management in Michigan to include Spring Lake Country Club, Midland Country Club and Plum Hollow Country Club.

In 1968 Jim moved the family to Winter Garden, Florida when presented the opportunity to oversee the construction and subsequent management of the Ramada Inn on the corner of Highway 50 and Maguire Road in Ocoee. This was one of the first hotels that the visiting executives from the Walt Disney Company stayed in during site visits and press meetings in advance of the Magic Kingdom being built.

After resigning from the hotel business Jim opened three Maryland Fried Chicken fast food restaurants in Orlando, Pine Hills and Leesburg which he ran for a number of years.

He was introduced to the founder of the Golden Corral restaurant chain in their early beginnings. He began a long and successful career in site development and retired as the Vice President of Contracts and Construction, consulting for them for many years after.

As a real estate broker, Jim was instrumental in getting the property approved from then Governor Askew to have Lake Louisa named a State park. The individual that had the property for sale was adamant that it not be developed; Jim took pictures and met with the governor to petition for a state park. That was the real estate deal he was most proud of. He maintained his brokers’ license for 52 years, up to last month, receiving 100 percent on each renewal exam.

Jim loved cooking for friends and family. To the frustration of many he never had a recipe or wrote anything down; each meal was its own masterpiece.

He loved golf, fishing, NASCAR and traveling; many vacations were planned solely around the fishing. Jim and Shirley traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, visiting Alaska three times, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries.

There were many summers that he took off from work for extended cross-country camping trips with the family visiting every state and most state and national parks. He planned every trip down to the minute but always pulled over for the “what’s that”? and “let’s go there” moments from the kids.

He had a wicked sense of humor and could hold an entire room captive with his stories and jokes. He had a distinctive laugh recognized by all who knew him. He made life-long friendships everywhere he went and went out of his way to keep in touch with everyone.

There are not enough words or enough time to describe what Jim McWhorter has meant to so many people and the number of things he accomplished during his lifetime. He will be sorely missed and thought of every day.