James (Jim) Joseph White
WHITE, TAMLIN, CHOPEK, FAHEY, WILSON
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 4/30/2024 at 08:18:54
James (Jim) Joseph White died peacefully with family at his side at Mease Countryside Hospital in Clearwater, Florida on Tuesday April 23, 2024.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday May 17, 2024 at Lensing’s Oak Hill (210 Holiday Rd, Coralville, IA 52241). A private graveside service will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. All are welcome to a Celebration of Life at “The Cottage,” 121 Taft Speedway in Iowa City, on Saturday, May 18 starting at 3:30 PM.
Jim was born on August 3, 1941 to William and Elizabeth (Tamlin) White. After graduating in the last class of students at Loras Academy in Dubuque, Iowa; Jim furthered his education at Loras College (Dubuque) and the University of Iowa. Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and History, a Master of the Arts in English, and a PhD in Educational Administration all from the University of Iowa.
While an undergraduate, Jim met and married his wife Mary Etta (Chopek) White. Together they had five children. Jim walked with and cared for Mary Etta (2000) and later his partner Susan Fahey (2017) during extended battles with cancer. Jim also was a cancer survivor.
Jim was an active and creative educational professional throughout his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Jim was especially fond of his time teaching and coaching at Iowa City High School. Jim was an avid genealogist throughout his life and only recently deciphered his father William’s family of origin. Jim spent much of his retirement planning for and implementing the rebuild and curation of “The Cottage” in Iowa City, where he has showcased his compilation of family “treasures”.
Jim was a diehard and at times disgruntled sports fan. Jim could often be found supporting his children and grandchildren while they were either playing or coaching on the diamond, mat, court, golf course, or football field.
Jim was predeceased by his wife Mary Etta (1942-2000) and his partner Susan Fahey (1942-2017), as well as his parents William and Elizabeth, his sisters Betty Ann, Joan, and Rosemary.
Jim is survived by his children and their spouses James Anthony (Iowa City; Erin), Stephen Edward (Fort Wayne, IN; Julie), Michael Lee (Chapel Hill, NC; Rachelle), Timothy John (Longmont, CO; Jaymie), and Mary Elizabeth (White) Wilson (Chicago, IL; Ken) and his siblings Carole and William (Billy). Jim was a proud grandfather to Brett Anthony, Brady Michael, Austin James, Ryley Joseph, Rebecca Lee, Timothy Michael, Matthew Joseph, Avery Rebekah, Micah John, Beckett James, Henry Joseph, and Casey Aaron.
In Jim's memory, memorial donations can be made to the Archdiocese of Chicago Archives Department, whom generously donated their time to Jim's genealogy searches. Cards and donations can be sent to The Family of Jim White, PO Box 167, Iowa City, Iowa, 52244.
A website created by his family has been created and can be viewed at https://everloved.com/life-of/james-joseph-white/?flow=201.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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