James N. "Whitey" Cain

James N. "Whitey" Cain, age 85, of Auburn, Georgia, died Thursday, March 12, 2026, surrounded by his family. A man of unwavering work ethic and skilled hands. James spent over 69 years building various communities he lived in, worked in and he loved. Born on September 6, 1940, in Tucker, Georgia to Elmer Luke Cain and Dovie Mae Hazelrigs Cain, James developed a passion for working with his hands early on. He was the youngest child of 10 children all of which have preceded him in death, along with his parents. He went to Tucker School, attended Tucker Baptist Church, and was a Mason for 53 years starting with him being raised in the Greenville Masonic Lodge #321 F. & A.M. and demitting to Tucker Masonic Lodge #42 F. & A.M. later in life where his father was a charter member. As a child, he helped build homes and dropped out of school at the age of 15, and bought a truck with his brother Eldon and they hauled peanuts for J.D. Watkins. He began his career working with his father and brothers in home and industrial construction in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, grading roads and industrial sites, and later adding a concrete plant for Ready Mix Concrete in Lilburn, GA after which all four sons and three daughters worked together in the family business. The plans for the Tom M. Wages Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, built in 1963 at New Hope Road, were drawn by James's brother, Hollis Cain, at the request of Tommy Wages himself but due to time constraints and current workloads the family was unable to build the building at the time. James continued to work in the family business until it ceased operations in 1985 following the death of his older brother that year which was preceded by his father in 1972. James then worked with W.T. Mayfield Specialized Carriers as a sales representative until 1995 after which he worked with Latex Pipeline Company as the manager of Specialized Carrier Trucking Co. until his retirement from the trucking industry in 2003. James gave his life to Christ and became a member at First Baptist Church of Gay, Georgia in Meriwether County where he lived for 25 years on a farm where he raised his three children, Shawn, Shannon, and Patrick. James would tell his wife and children, "I lived and worked in the good years. I would not take anything for the work I had the pleasure to do, the places where I worked – about 35 states across the country, and the people I met and had the pleasure of working with." By applying the lessons taught to him by God and his beloved parents, James was able to complete his work and find fulfillment in serving both his family and his fellow man. He always found deep joy in helping others in any way he could. He was known as a "man's man" with a kind heart, a mentor to apprentices, a steady hand on the job site, and a devoted family man. He will be deeply missed by his adoring family and friends. Well, done good and faithful servant. James leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 30 years, Karren L. Bogdan Cain of Auburn, GA; three children, Shawn Cain, his wife, Serena, and their daughter, McKenzie of Griffin, GA; Shannon Cain Montogomery, her husband, Scott, & and their daughters, Abby and Shelby of Eufaula, AL; and Patrick Cain, his wife, Martina, and their children, Isabella, Sophia and Gabriel, of Marietta, GA; five step-children: Lisa Bargeron and her husband, Jay of Quantico, VA and their three children, Angela (Jeremy) Taylor, Matt (Katie) Bargeron, and Zachary (Liz) Bargeron; Jackie Treadway of Jefferson, GA and her three children Amber (Amanda) Treadway, Samantha Treadway, and Donnie Treadway; Jeff Bogdan and his wife, Jeni, of Gainesville, GA and their three children Smith (Kendyl) Bogdan, Paul (Nataley) Bogdan, and Will Bogdan; Todd Bogdan, his wife, Katja, of Snellville, GA and their two children, Jordan Bogdan and Sarah Bogdan; and Tim Bogdan of Dacula, GA; 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 13 nieces and nephews, and a host of many friends. James was preceded in death by his beloved parents and 9 siblings: Montine Palenski, Hollis Cain, Mary Hanson, Sarah McKenny, Glen Cain, Jean Brand, Opal Christian, Eldon Cain, and Martha Bramlett.

A celebration of James's life and legacy will be held Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel with Rev. Kenneth W. Andrews officiating. Interment will follow at Luxomni Baptist Church Cemetery, 175 Luxomni Rd. NW, Lilburn, GA 30047. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and after 11:00 A.M. on the day of the service. The Auburn Masonic Lodge # 230 F. & A.M. will render Masonic Rites at the end of the service in the Chapel. Those desiring may make donations to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews in memory of James N. "Whitey" Cain. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, 120 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (770-963-2411) has been entrusted with the arrangements.