1931
James
2024
James Reber Whitaker
December 11, 1931 — October 4, 2024
James “Jim” Whitaker
Jim Whitaker passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of Friday, October 4, 2024. Jim was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 11, 1931, and lived a full life, impacting others around the world with a servant’s heart. Jim married the love of his life, Bettye Jean Shirah, in 1954 the two stayed together until Bettye’s passing in 2019. He began serving others, specifically our country, in 1951 when he enlisted in the military during the Korean War. After serving for several years, Jim used his engineering knowledge to join companies such as General Electric and United Engineers and Construction where he traveled to third world countries helping design and build electric energy plants bringing light to parts of the world who had not seen such a blessing. After serving in this manner, Jim turned his attention to another group of less fortunate people, children battling physical illnesses. As a clown for Alee Temple Shriners in Savannah, Georgia, Jim took on the persona of “Bo” who delighted in making children smile with his creative balloon animals. Jim and Bettye were not quite finished with their adventure when life moved to Unionville, Tennessee. It was here that Jim continued to serve others in a new way, as their lay pastor. He cared for the people at Ray’s Chapel United Methodist Church for many years, building strong relationships in the small town, many of whom mourn his loss today.
Jim has a large extended family who he strived to be close with, that is what moved him to Savannah, Ga after his wife’s passing. He leaves behind two sons, Keith (Cheryl) Whitaker and Stuart (Nancy) Whitaker as well as four grandchildren, Melissa Miles (John), Dustin Norris (Christopher), James (Jeannette) Whitaker, and Shannon Bacon (Zack). Jim knew children are a gift as he was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
The family will travel to Tennessee to hold a memorial service for Jim at a later date.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.bakermccullough.com
Services have been entrusted to Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, 2794 West US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408. (912) 964-2862. www.bakermccullough.com
Jim Whitaker passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of Friday, October 4, 2024. Jim was born in Nashville, Tennessee on December 11, 1931, and lived a full life, impacting others around the world with a servant’s heart. Jim married the love of his life, Bettye Jean Shirah, in 1954 the two stayed together until Bettye’s passing in 2019. He began serving others, specifically our country, in 1951 when he enlisted in the military during the Korean War. After serving for several years, Jim used his engineering knowledge to join companies such as General Electric and United Engineers and Construction where he traveled to third world countries helping design and build electric energy plants bringing light to parts of the world who had not seen such a blessing. After serving in this manner, Jim turned his attention to another group of less fortunate people, children battling physical illnesses. As a clown for Alee Temple Shriners in Savannah, Georgia, Jim took on the persona of “Bo” who delighted in making children smile with his creative balloon animals. Jim and Bettye were not quite finished with their adventure when life moved to Unionville, Tennessee. It was here that Jim continued to serve others in a new way, as their lay pastor. He cared for the people at Ray’s Chapel United Methodist Church for many years, building strong relationships in the small town, many of whom mourn his loss today.
Jim has a large extended family who he strived to be close with, that is what moved him to Savannah, Ga after his wife’s passing. He leaves behind two sons, Keith (Cheryl) Whitaker and Stuart (Nancy) Whitaker as well as four grandchildren, Melissa Miles (John), Dustin Norris (Christopher), James (Jeannette) Whitaker, and Shannon Bacon (Zack). Jim knew children are a gift as he was blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
The family will travel to Tennessee to hold a memorial service for Jim at a later date.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.bakermccullough.com
Services have been entrusted to Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, 2794 West US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408. (912) 964-2862. www.bakermccullough.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Reber Whitaker, please visit our flower store.
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