James A. Whitson Jr.

1933 - 2015

James A. Whitson Jr.
1933-2015
James A. (Jim) Whitson Jr. passed away on March 18, 2015 at home surrounded by family. He was 82 years old. He will forever be remembered as "Grumps" by his family and for his larger than life personality and zest for life.
Jim was born in 1933 to Agnes A. and James A. Whitson Sr. and grew up in Southside Place in West University. He attended West University Elementary School, Pershing Junior High and Lamar High School and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in 1955. He began his long career as an oilman at Pan Am and went on to start his own company as an independent oil operator in 1963 which he ran for 52 years until his final days. He was a man of drive and ambition and a mentor to many.
He married Patricia Wales in 1955 and they had three children, Patricia, Robert and Patrice during a 31 year marriage. In 1988, he married Paula Duncan to whom he was married for his remaining 27 years enjoying their four beloved grandchildren together, Wes, Zach, Sophia and Miles. He taught each of his grandchildren to fish, snorkel, body surf and love the outdoors. Time spent with them was a source of pure joy for him.
Jim was an avid bird hunter, fisherman, swimmer, diver, lobster hunter and tennis player and had a great love of reading, history, food, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. He was a man of tradition and enjoyed many years at South Padre, Grand Cayman, his hunting camp in South Texas and Alaska. He knew Texas and Houston like the back of his hand. He was incredibly close with is brother, Bob, and they enjoyed so much of life together. He was blessed with incredible health up until the last three months of his life. As a friend of his said, "He charged hard for 81.9 years!" He lived his life with reverence, determination, intention, unwavering strength, vigor and vitality and was an inspiration to many as a result.

He is predeceased by his brother Robert E. Whitson (Bob) and sister-in-law Carolyn, and his daughter Patricia Diane Whitson. He is survived by his wife, Paula Whitson, his son Robert J. Whitson and daughter-in-law Pam and their children Wes and Zach, his daughter Patrice Jegi and son-in-law Doug and their children Sophia and Miles, his former wife Patricia Wales, his niece Laura Forsythe and nephew Charlie Whitson and their families.

Jim will always be remembered for his smile, his engaging personality, his rugged resolve, his playfulness, his sense of humor and his HUGE love of life. He will be deeply missed!

A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m. at Chapelwood Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, Tx. 77024, followed by a reception. A private family burial will later follow at Lawndale Forest Park Cemetary. Our family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Senior Allegience and Houston Hospice for their compassionate care. Gift contributions in memory of Jim can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4464, Houston, Tx. 77210-4464 for their leadership in the growing field of immunotherapy to treat late stage melanoma and other types of cancer.