James Robert White's Obituary
Mr. James “Jim” Robert White (J.R.), age 85, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in Richardson, Texas. He will be missed dearly by his loving family, devoted friends, and all the individuals who knew and loved him.
James was born in Tennessee on January 23, 1938, the oldest of nine children of Bob White and Mary Betty Hazel Snodgrass of Hardin County, Tennessee.
James married Dortha “Dot” Janet Spencer, daughter of Charlie Brown and May Belle Spencer of Missouri, on October 19, 1957. Dortha survives her husband of 66 years.
Other family members that survived Jim are his younger brothers and sisters: Frankie Jean Veasey, Hugh White, Don and wife Janet White, Connie and husband Johnny Marino, and Ronnie and wife Vickie White.
He is preceded in death by his father, Bob White, his mother, Mary Foster White, sister Mattie Inez Michael, sister Lenda Faye and brother Larry Ray.
James grew up in Southeast Missouri, graduating from Wardell High School in 1955. He was recognized as an outstanding leader in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and served as FAA President in 1954-55. He joined the US Air Force in 1955. Jim was an Electronics Technician and Instructor with deployments to Thule Air Base in Pituffik, Greenland, to support Radar Installation Operations in support of the Cold War against the Soviet Union. Jim moved into the Defense Electronics Industry in California at ITT-Gilfillan, which eventually led to his career in Quality Assurance with Texas Instruments (TI) Defense Systems and Electronics Group (DSEG) in Dallas, Texas.
With many (TI) friends and co-workers and completion of his formal Real Estate education at SMU, Jim started a new career as a business owner in Real Estate Sales and Management (including Home Building and Insurance Sales) with his own business, James R. White Realtors. His children and grandchildren can fondly remember how he answered his phone like a cheery jingle where he would say, James R. White Realtors, Jim White speaking. It was common knowledge that Jim had a “Servant’s Heart” and would make financial sacrifices for those who needed help to get into a rental house or to buy their first home for their family. He was the reason so many families had a nice, safe place to live.
Jim also contributed to many community endeavors, including the Richardson Exchange Club, where he served as President and was instrumental in sustaining the organization over many years and social changes. The Richardson Exchange Club sponsored many “Freedom Shrines” that displayed the founding documents of the United States at schools and other public places such as the Richardson City Hall.
Once James and Dot both retired, they spent their retirement years helping raise their grandchildren and enjoying the fruits of having a large segment of extended family living in the DFW area. James and Dot helped many of their family members move from Missouri to DFW to start their careers and families. James and Dot have resided in Richardson since 1965.
Other family members that have survived Jim include his daughter, Deborah Lynn, and husband, Steven Edward Williams, and their children, their son, Ian Edward, and wife, Stephanie, and daughter, Rachel Alese Sucre, and husband, Luis. Jim's daughter, Judy Elaine White, her children; her daughter, Brooke Elaine Bryant and son Nicholas George Bryant, and his wife, Brittany. Jim's son, Mark Alan White, and wife, Jennifer, and their children, son Garrett Bryant and daughter Grace "Gracie" Katherine White.
Jim and Dot have four Great-grandchildren: Liam James O’Toole, Edward James Williams, Evelyn Violet Williams, and Zelda Isabelle Sucre.
Visitations for Mr. James Robert White will be on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home. A Service will be on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. in Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://www.t2t.org/ as a tribute in Jim's name.
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