James White

A visitation will be held Sunday, July 19, 2015, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at LaGrone Funeral Chapel for James Andrew White who went peacefully to that celestial lodge above on July 11, 2015. A funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Monday, July 20, 2015 at First United Methodist Church. Pastor Laird Cross will officiate.

Jim was born March 26 1928 at Merced Falls, Mariposa County, California to Eleanor Eliza and James Roy White.

Jim's father was a hydroelectric engineer for San Joaquin Power and Light co. Jim was educated in the Bakersfield schools, graduating from East Bakersfield high school. Jim enlisted in the US Army in 1946 as a musician bandsman playing trumpet and later changed to French horn and baritone. He spent 10 years in the US Army band stationed at camp San Louis Obispo recruiting band, later at camp Pittsburg, California and later at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

While stationed at Elmendorf AFB, the Chief of Bands in Washington DC came to Alaska and de-activated the Army Reserve Band. At that time 1947, the Dept. of the Air Force was established and Jim was offered a chance to attend Julliard School of Music under the bootstrap program. Upon graduating he would be eligible for Master Sgt. Jim decided that since the war was just concluded, He wanted to change career fields and was assigned to the Alaskan Air Command Depot as a supply technician.
He met and married Marguerite Ola Williams who worked in the base laundry. Jim married Marguerite on July 16, 1950. Jim spent 4 years in Japan with the MAAG Group on detached duty teaching the Japanese AF supply and shipping. He returned to the US and was assigned to Mountain AFB in Idaho. Jim put in a request to be assigned to Ankara Turkey with the Joint Military Advisory Group. Jim and Marguerite were moved to Eskisehir Turkey and spent 6 great years meeting and teaching Turkish people the supply and logistics of the USAF. Jim was supply and maintenance advisor to a Turkish Major General in the supply depot and repair shops. Upon return to the US, he was assigned to KI Sawyer AFB Michigan near Marquette. While at KI for only 13 months, he and Marguerite bought a cabin on Lake Stella, Alger County.

Jim was later assigned to the MAAG in Athens, Greece for 6 years. They adopted 2 beautiful girls, Kathleen Ann and Patricia Ann. After completing 20 years of active duty, Jim retired in 1966 and was immediately assigned to the CIA. Jim worked in photography and clandestine assignments. Jim and Marguerite retired to Roswell, New Mexico in 1974. Every year they would return to their cabin in "da-woods.'' Both he and Marguerite traveled worldwide and enjoying seeing parts of the world many have not seen.
Jim belonged to the Bakersfield Chapter, Order of DE-Molay in 1942, attaining Master Councilor in 1943. Jim had a long history of Masonic events. Jim's father was Worshipful Master of Bakersfield Lodge. Upon Jim and Marguerites return to the US, Jim petitioned to join Sterling Lodge #264 in Sterling, Virginia in 1970. Jim was raised to a Master Mason in November 1970. This being a newly constituted lodge, Jim was elected to J. Deacon. Jim decided to retire from the CIA in Washington, DC and the family moved to Roswell, New Mexico due to Marguerite health. While in Virginia, Jim joined the York Rite and was High Priest in 1974 of Loudoun Royal Chapter #55. Jim was a life member of Loudoun RAC which he helped move from Leesburg to Herndon, Virginia. Jim was a voting delegate to the Virginia Grand Royal Arch Chapter. Jim was dubbed a Knight Templar in 1972 in Arlington Commandry #35. Jim was a charter member of Valley Daylight Lodge #79, Roswell, and was Worshipful Master in 1989. Upon retiring to Roswell in 1974, he affiliated with Columbia Chapter #7, RAM, Valley Council #4 Royal and Select Masters, and Rio Hondo Commandry #6, Knights Templar. Jim joined the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Marquette, Michigan and the Ahmed Temple of AAONMS in May 1990. He was an active member of the Munising Fire Brigade, also was a member of the temple Provost Guard. Jim was a charter member of the York Rite College of North America #177, Las Cruces, NM. Jim was a charter member of the Knight Masons of the USA, Enhancement Council #24, and Past Excellent Chief in 1982.

Jim and Marguerite joined the Order of Eastern Star in 1973 and moved to affiliate with Lake Arthur chapter #24. He served as Worthy Patron in 1975-1976. Jim joined the White Shrine of Jerusalem in 1977 and served as Watchman of Shepherds 4 times. Jim was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, York Rite Cross of Honor and is KYGCH, one quadrant, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Delta Chapter RAM #118, Hiawatha Council #65 and Commandry #47, all of Escanaba Michigan, Upper Michigan York Rite College of North America #40, St. Bonaventure conclave of Red Cross of Constantine all of Marquette Michigan. Jim was a member of the National Sojourners, Milwaukee Chapter # 27, and was a life member of the Tri State Royal Arch Masons Associations.
Jim held honorary memberships in all three bodies of Kansas, Oklahoma, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and Grand Commandry of Texas. Jim was a Grand Representative to Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia. Jim was a life member of the American Legion with 69 years as of 2015, a member of Post 28 Roswell, NM. Jim was installed Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Royal and Select Masters of New Mexico in 1999. Most Puissant General Grand Master Charles Van Ettan also installed Jim to be General Grand Council International Ambassador for New Mexico.

Jim was the 3rd child of the family, sister; Elaine Sikola, age 87 when she passed away, brother; Robert LeRoy was killed on active duty in the US Navy.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Luzvilla, a brother, Lawerence E. White and wife Jean Marie of Claremore, Oklahoma; nieces, Therese and Greg Nesmith, Dolores and David Sparks, Dr. Kathrine White of Montana, Margaret White, Martha and Don Enslow and Rebecca Jones.
The family would like to express special thanks to Casa Maria Healthcare Center and Staff, Joy Center and Staff, Dr. Braik, Dr. Adajar, Dr. Bishop and Dr's Randy and Mariann McGuire.

Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
Online condolences may be made at www.lagronefuneralchapel.com

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Sunday, July 19, 2015
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Service

First United Methodist Church
200 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell, NM  88201
Monday, July 20, 2015
10:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203