James "Jim" Thomas White

James “Jim” Thomas White, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25th, 2024, with family at his bedside. He made his journey after a long two-year diagnosis with Lewy body dementia. He joins his wife, Elizabeth Rockwood White, daughter, Brenda Kathleen (White) Olson, parents, Clair and Margaret (Walling) White, sister Dorothy (Hal) Sheppard of Yuma, AZ, and grandsons, Edwin and Dustin White. 

James was born March 28th, 1941, to Clair and Margaret (Walling) White in Cherokee, IA. He lived with his parents and 10 siblings on a farm in rural Anthon, IA. He participated in band and choir throughout high school until graduating in 1959 from Anthon-Oto High School. He then moved to Sioux City, IA to attend Morningside College. He met his wife Elizabeth Ann Rockwood White and was married on Oct 7th, 1964. This union was blessed with four children. Jim spent his working career as an automobile mechanic but was happy to be the family’s personal mechanic as well until his retirement in 2013. 

Jim spent a lot of his free time with his children and attending church. In his early years, he was a proud member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Later in life, he converted to St Paul’s Episcopal Church where he became a lay minister. He assisted with services every Sunday, building maintenance, and church building activities. He also enjoyed spending time with every one of his children, 18 grandchildren, and 36+ great grandchildren. Jim loved attending all the extracurricular activities the kids had such as softball, hockey, football, and band events. His love for his family will never be forgotten. 

James leaves behind three children: Jamie (Robert) Messinger of Champlin, MN, Thomas White of Sioux City, IA, and Raymond White of Niobrara NE; nine siblings, Charles “Chuck” (Shirley) White of Easton WA, Mary (Bob) Mclure of Hillsboro, OR, Jerry (Therese) White of Brush Prairie, WA, Michel (Terri) White of Olympia, WA, Frank (Karen) White of Steilacoom, WA, Byron (Linda) White of Bellingham, WA, Patty (Ron) Bedient of Sammamish, WA, Bob (Dorene) White of Tillamook, OR, and Ralph (Joanie) White of Sandy, OR; grandchildren, Amber Dandurand, Jerimah White, Joshua Torrez, Nathan (Jessica) O’Connor, Amanda Hardy, Alyssa Rouillard, Anabelle Rouillard, Elisa (Robert) Ray, Bobbi Jo (Matthew) Reynolds, Kayla (Aaron) Riedesel, Mariah (Travis) Foran, Robert (Cherish) Messinger III, Amiee Messinger, Andrew Messinger, Krystal White, and James “Jimmy” White. Jim also leaves exponential amounts of cousins, nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. 

Visitation will begin at 5 pm on Wednesday Oct 30th at St Paul's Indian Mission in Sioux City with a Prayer Service at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday October 31st with the final viewing starting at 10 am. Burial will follow at Logan Park Cemetery. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.