James L Whaley

James "Jim" Leroy Whaley passed away on Tuesday November 18th, 2025 at 3:00am with his loving wife Fran by his side. Jim was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Earl R. Whaley and Doris M. Whaley (nee Connolly). Jim attended St. Jane Frances Elementary School and Towson Catholic High. After high school Jim enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, Jim attended University of Baltimore and the Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore.
In 1983 Jim and Fran married. Jim readily stepped into the role of "Father" treating Karen and Karl as his own and became the patriarch of the family. Jim was patient and kind and had a great sense of humor. Jim was a man of many talents and interests who could build and create anything. He loved playing golf, going crabbing & fishing, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards and watching Star Trek. He loved old cars and hot rods and going to cars shows.
He will be missed by his family and many friends and acquaintances whose lives Jim touched over his 78 years of life. Jim is survived by his wife, Fran, daughter, Karen Dove (Tom), son, Karl Breitenbucher (Jane), seven grandchildren: Dylan Smith (Rachel), Hailey Diiacovo (Brent), Ashtin Breitenbucher (Allison), Ethan Breitenbucher, Peyton Breitenbucher, Preston Dove, Ashlynn Dove, Lindsay Persinger (Austin) and eight great grandchildren Maize Boyd, Emerson Breitenbucher. Gavin and Aubrey Diiacovo. Makinsey, Easton, Gatlin, and Landon Persinger.
His siblings surviving him are Joseph and his wife, Birgit, Mary Tankersley and her husband, William, and his sister, Maureen Whaley, brothers-in-law, Frank Weiman (Audra) and Brian Weiman (Cheryl), and sister-in-law Regina Wade (Joe).
The family will have a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Jim's honor to Wounded Warriors. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.