James Lloyd Whitney

James Lloyd Whitney, son of Wilda (Billie) Lloyd and Earl Whitney, died in Ocean Springs, Mississippi Tuesday morning October 11, 2011 at 5:30 AM at the age of 81. Born on February 7, 1930 in Parkersburg W.Va., Jim is survived by his three children; Mike (Jean) Whitney of Ocean Springs, Jeff (Julie) Whitney of Kansas City and Cape Coral, Florida, and Kristen (David) Sapp of Atlanta, Georgia, four grandchildren; Andy Sapp, Jonathan Sapp, and Jamie Sapp all in Atlanta, Georgia and Kara (Sean) Blevins of Ocean Springs, MS. and three great-grandchildren; William, Matthew and Kaitlyn Blevins of Ocean Springs. He was preceded in death in 1998 by his wife of 46 years, Evelyn Chapman Whitney. Jim was a highly intelligent man, well liked and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Growing up a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, after graduating from Parkersburg High he and his best friend Jack Conaway received Navy ROTC scholarships and decided to go to a southern school where the scholastic competition would not be as intense – so they went to Duke. Graduating with a major in micro-biology, he returned to Parkersburg prior to active duty where he met and married a beautiful young stenography student, Evelyn Mae Chapman. He served aboard several naval repair ships including the USS Vulcan as a lieutenant JG. He was based out of Newport, R.I. where his two sons were born. After his military service, the family moved to Marietta, Ohio where his daughter Kristen was born. His career started as a technical writer for BF Goodrich, and his love of writing never left him. He had numerous articles published, including a book titled “The Words of the Bible Are Not Mine – a Conversation with God”. After a few years at Goodrich, he moved back to Parkersburg and took a position at Marbon, a plastics company subsequently purchased by Borg-Warner, where he spent the next twenty-nine years in various positions. Jim served the community in many ways, including helping raise funds for the new YMCA and volunteering with Junior Achievement. Also active in the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Jim loved singing and music. In 1988 he retired and moved to Ft. Myers, Fla., where he joined Gateway Country Club, serving on the Board of Directors and pursuing another love; golf. After Evelyn passed away, Jim re-met Katie Reel at his 50th high school reunion. A romance bloomed and they shared many happy years in Ft. Myers, Florida and in Marietta, Ohio until their health caused separation. He moved to Ocean Springs in 2008 to be with his eldest son Mike, where he lived until his passing. Jim was a staunch Republican, a loyal Duke fan, a devoted husband and loving father. Those that knew and worked with him loved his unique sense of humor, his innate intelligence, his kindness and unwavering sense of responsibility. He will be greatly missed. A casual memorial service open to friends and family will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday morning October 18 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 219 11th Street in Parkersburg W.Va. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.