James Simpson White

A celebration of life will be held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Vancouver,1309 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA, on Saturday October 11th, at 11 a.m.

James Simpson White was born in Santa Monica, California October 11, 1940, the first child to Charles and Ethel White. The White family settled in Vancouver, Washington and expanded their family with a second son (Chuck) and two daughters (Ruth and Carol).

James attended Hudson Bay High School along with his siblings where he was active in track and cross country graduating in 1959. After graduation, James served in the National Guard.

In his youth and early adulthood, he worked on various construction projects in California and the Vancouver area. James continued a career in construction taking over the family business, The White Construction Company, where he served as President for many years. In 1992 he became a real estate broker with a concentration in commercial properties.

James was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in1988 and lived 37 years managing the disease and its effects on his body. The strength and determination James exhibited in this battle were an inspiration to all who knew him.

James could be found "pumping iron" at the local YMCA. He was a church elder and decades-long parishioner of St. Paul Lutheran Church. James and his wife Joyce, were dedicated foster parents for many years.

James is survived by children Randall White of Show Low, Arizona, Jamie White of Birmingham Alabama and Vincent Bunn of Vancouver Washington and granddaughters Phoebe Bunn and Zofia Kabarowska. He is also survived by siblings Charles (Chuck) White of Murfreesboro, TN, Ruth Valenti of Sun City, Arizona, and Carol Durham of Ridgefield, Washington and several beloved nieces, nephews and stepchildren. James will be missed by his high school buddies having lunch at the Peachtree Restaurant. He was Eagle born and Eagle bred.

James is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ethel White and his cherished wife, Joyce Irene White.

Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in his memory are encouraged.