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James W. White

James Wilson White, 87, of Kittanning, PA, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at his home.

He was born December 31, 1926 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of David and Elizabeth (Wilson) White.

Jim was a lifetime resident of the Kittanning area and a graduate of Kittanning High School. He honorably served as a member of the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific Theatre, working as a signal corpsman on a destroyer escort. After the war, Jim attended Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a B. S. degree in agricultural economics in 1950. He was owner of Manor Minerals, Inc., Manor Development Corporation, White Enterprises and Homestead Farms.

In his early career, Jim helped run the family's dairy farm. His focus then turned to working in the agricultural field on the state and local levels. From 1957-1963, he served as the Superintendent of Highways for Armstrong County, and was youngest in the state. Jim then became the Chairman for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee of the US Department of Agriculture from 1964-1969. From 1969-1972, Jim was an advisor for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Agricultural Committee, and was also the President of the Middle Armstrong County Area Development Organization (MACADO) from 1969-1973.

Jim was actively involved in the Democratic Party, and in his younger years belonged to the Young Democratic Club, serving as president of the Young Democratic Clubs of Pennsylvania from 1960-1962. He was instrumental in bringing candidate John F. Kennedy to Kittanning in 1960 for a huge campaign rally on Market Street.

In 1965, Jim was a US delegate for Young Political Leaders to NATO, representing the United States in England, Belgium, France, Germany and Portugal. He belonged to the Pennsylvania Democratic Executive Committee, and in 1968 served as an alternate Delegate-at-Large for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, IL. Jim was also the coordinator for the Pennsylvania Farmers for Humphrey, Muskie and Clark Committee in 1968, and a charter member and former director for Middle Armstrong County Industrial Development Organization.

In later years, Jim returned to his farming roots and along with his wife, Liz, raised Black Angus cattle and Appaloosa horses, which they showed nationwide. Jim was also a dog lover and enjoyed providing a wonderful home for the strays that frequently adopted him. Birds were another of his favorite creatures and in recent years he found peace watching their daily activities.

His dedication to the area was evidenced by his participation as a trustee on the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital board, former chairman and longtime member of the board of Merchants Bank (now F&M Bank). He was also the former chairman of the Housing Authority of Armstrong County and served on the Armstrong County Recreation Authority and Kittanning Cemetery board. Jim was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, Armstrong Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Honor Guard, Kittanning Elks #203 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Jim's favorite pastimes included boating and traveling and he loved being on "his river." Jim's many contributions to Kittanning and Pennsylvania are eclipsed only by his family's memories of him as a devoted father and wonderful husband.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 40 years, Elizabeth (Eigo) White, whom he married July 26, 1973; daughters, Patricia Lee Petrus and husband, Paul, of Chester, CT, Nancy White Einsel and husband, Robert, of Hershey, Kathleen Wynne-Roberts and husband, Tony, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, M. Josephine White and husband, John, of Wilmington, NC, and Kathleen Elizabeth White, of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Jessica Ann Petrus, Cara Petrus Bernard and husband, Stephen, Kristen Rae Einsel, Coral White Byrd and husband, Aaron, Shelly Augusta Leavens and husband, Mark, Allyson Beech Wise and husband, Michael, and Gregory White Beech and wife, Michelle; five great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lourene White Pilgram and husband, Henry, of St. Joseph, MO, and JoAnne White Dzina and husband, Richard, of Dallas, TX.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy White Kurzman.

Friends and families will be received from 7-9 PM on Saturday, March 15, 2014, and from 12-3 and 7-9 PM on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning.

Additional visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Monday, March 17, 2014 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 155 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, with the Rev. Dana Wilmot officiating.

Burial will be in Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA, where military honors will be presented by the American Legion Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim's honor to the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Foundation, One Nolte Dr., Kittanning, PA 16201 or Orphans of the Storm, PO Box 838, Kittanning, PA 16201.

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