James M. White

James Malcolm White passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in Brecksville, Ohio at the age of 77. He is survived by his beloved wife Linda, sons Brian (Brecksville) and Brad (Montana), daughter-in-law Alonda, granddaughter Isabelle and sister Susan (Tucson). "Jdubz", or "Granpadubz", spent some of his happiest times watching fireflies with Linda, holding his granddaughter, laughing with his family, and walking the yard in Brecksville with his dog, figuring out chores for his sons to attend to.
Jim was born in Brecksville to Walter Franklin and Jane White, in the same house where he spent the last years of his life. Graduating from Brecksville High School, Jim was active in the band and general trouble making, a skill honed on his sister, further developed at college and eagerly passed on to his sons. At Muskingum College he met Linda, his college sweetheart, and they embarked on a 54 year adventure full of love and patience. After finishing his Masters of Planning at the University of Virginia, Jim and Linda settled in Culpepper, Virginia, where Jim was the County Administrator. beginning a long career focused on water sustainability. After decades in various spots in Virginia and Maryland, his last job brought the couple back to Brecksville, where Jim finished his career as the Director of Sustainable Infrastructure Programs at the Port Authority of Cleveland. His time at the Port was his favorite. Here he commissioned the now famous Flotsam and Jetsam, debris recovery boats designed to capture floating garbage from the Cuyahoga River. He was honored with the 2006 Ohio Lake Erie Award for his outstanding contributions to the Great Lake. Most of all, he was a tremendous motivator, well respected and loved by his colleagues.
Jim had a passion for sailing, woodworking and baseball. He was known for his irreverent sense of humor, bringing levity to any situation, and routinely drawing out Linda's infectious laugh. He was very handy and a builder of things, including a working still, decks and multiple sheds. He recently finished his life long dream project: a spectacular 14-foot wooden sail boat named Laurentia, built with an assist from his sons and his boatbuilder club, the Cleveland Amateur Boat Building Society. In his youth Jim was a Sea Scout and later went on to earn a USCO Captains License. His family remembers he was a great youth baseball coach, champion Oreo milk dunker, and a lover of plain cake donuts and Pablum. In addition, he was active in his sons' Boy Scouts programs. JDubz was also a Master Delegator, much to the chagrin of his sons, a self proclaimed nephew saver.
There will be a celebration of life to be held in Brecksville this summer.
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