James Edward Whittlesey

James Edward Whittlesey was born on March 31st, 1933 in Dallas, TX and died peacefully on January 1st, 2025 in Carlsbad, CA. Jim grew up in Dallas, TX and went to Southern Methodist University where he graduated with a BA in 1954 and an LLB in 1958. He spent three years in the United States Air Force from 1955-1958.

He married the love of his life, Hilde, on September 6th, 1952 and they were married for 70 years until her death in 2023. They lived in many states before settling in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA in 1989. They had two children, James Alan and Amy Katharine. Jim loved his wife and children more than anything and was a devoted husband and father.

Jim began his business career with Allstate Insurance Company in 1958 and over the next 25 years he worked for Allstate in Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Washington, and California. In his final assignment with Allstate, Jim was responsible for all the claims presented in 15 western states. After he retired from Allstate, not being one to take to retirement right away, he provided consulting services to a number of other insurance companies. His professional associations included the American Insurance Association, Pacific Claim Executives Association, and the Advisory Board of the California Fraud Bureau for the Department of Insurance. He retired fully in 1996 and turned to golf.

Sports played a big part in Jim's life. He played football and baseball in high school, college, and in the Air Force, where he received an honorable mention recognition on the 1957 All U.S. Air Force Football team (Number 84!). He also coached the ends on the Shaw Air Force Base football team from 1956-1957. Jim also pitched fast pitch softball for over 20 years and recorded 5 no hit games and 11 one hit games. In later years, Jim became an avid golfer. He played golf in 27 states and several foreign countries including Scotland, Mexico, Spain, Canada, and Ireland. Jim was a member of Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, joining in 1988. He served on the Men's Golf Association (MGA) Board of Directors, serving as President in 2002 and subsequently on the Lomas Advisory Board of Directors. When Jim joined Lomas, he carried a 15 handicap. He then improved to a 9-10 handicap for about 15 years. His best year was 2010, in which he shot the lowest score of his golf career - a 72. That year he also shot his age (77) four times. He finished in 1st place as the low net winner in his flight in 13 MGA tournaments. He also had 4 Holes in One! His granddaughters, Katy and Leigh, who call him Dandy, will forever continue to proudly proclaim that "Dandy is the BEST golfer IN THE WORLD!"

Jim had a beautiful bass voice and sang in his church choirs for many years. He also sang with the Glennaires at La Costa Glen for 10 years.

Jim's booming voice and strong presence may have concealed, to some, that he was a tender and loving man. His close family knew the truth and he was adored by his wife and beloved by his children and grandchildren. His most precious memories were the times spent with them, and they feel the same. He will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Hilde, and his son, James Alan. He is survived by his sister, Rita Templin, his daughter, Amy Whittlesey Gutting, his granddaughters Katy (David) Evans and Leigh (Hamilton) Lucas and by his 4 great -grandchildren, Eleanor and John Cooper Evans and Lorelai and Rosalind Lucas.

Jim's family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.