James Lewis Whitcomb

1918 - 2021

James Lewis Whitcomb
1918 - 2021
Resident of San Jose
James Lewis Whitcomb, retired Commander US Navy retired, died peacefully February 19, 2021 at the age of 102. He had a truly amazing life, serving in one World War, The Korean conflict, two pandemics, the Great Depression and witnessing 19 presidents!
He was born on October 21, 1918 in Hawthorn, Florida. He was the first child of Oscar and Ada Whitcomb. James grew up during the Great Depression and the first time he put on a pair of shoes was when he attended the University of Florida where he graduated in 1943. James enlisted in the US Navy immediately after college and went to Officers Candidate School at Harvard Military School. He spent 20 years in the Navy as a Commander and Supply Officer on the USS Wasp during World War II and the Korean War. James met his wife of 54 years, Clara Elizabeth Bassett in Washington DC on a blind date. Clara retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant to raise their three daughters and Jim retired from the Navy in 1961.
Jim and Clara moved across the country and had a short stint in Omaha, NB before settling in Northern CA where Jim started working at the GEM store before taking a position at Lockheed as a Logistics Engineer for 18 years before retiring in 1984 Jim and Clara purchased their first home in 1964 out in Almaden Valley where they raised the girls among many Rio Hondo Drive families. Jim was a devoted active member of Almaden Valley Athletic Club for over 30 years, until age 100.
Jim and Clara both shared a love of different cultures, artwork, foods, and places of interest and made annual trips with different tour companies all over the world until Clara's passing in 2009. They collected many varieties of artwork that displayed all over their home.
James lived a long, fulfilling life leaving behind a wonderful legacy and countless memories. He will always be known as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, whose life was about work ethic, discipline, commitments, financial stewardship, and family. There wasn't anything James couldn't have an educated discussion about, and he loved talking about history, famous people, finances and just about anything! James is survived by his son, Jay (Leona), and daughters, Gloria (Mike), Susan (Scott), and Melinda (Don). He was an adored grandfather to Dennis, Joy, Greg, Michael, Alex, Brian and Sarah and a great-grand-father to Kennedy and Dominic.
Because of Covid restrictions we will be holding a memorial in the coming months.


View the online memorial for James Lewis Whitcomb