James Arthur White

James Arthur White, formerly of Washington Park in Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home (319 Key West Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia) on Friday, June 8, 2018. He was born in Richmond on September 25, 1922 and spent his early childhood in Washington Park. He was educated in the Philadelphia, PA, school system and returned to Richmond to attend Virginia Union University. When World War II began, he was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 20, 1945, and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. While in the service, he attended Army Infantry School completing many courses including an advanced infantry officer’s course, demolitions and air-ground operations courses to name a few. He was an Infantry Unit Commander and his decorations include the American Campaign Medal; WW II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal National Defense (Ger); National Defense Service Medal; and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He was honorably discharged and retired on May 31, 1963 with 20 years of service including two years of other service, and nine years of foreign service. While in the army, he met and married Juphenia Odell Brown in October 1948. They went on tour to Germany where their children James and Mamie were born. They went on a second tour to Germany and were stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany. Upon their return to the United States, James was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He thought about signing up for more years of service, but his family wanted him to come back home so he did. James enrolled at Virginia State College (now University) and received his Bachelor’s degree in 1966 and his Master’s degree in 1967 in Special Education. From 1967 to 1968, he served as acting head of the Department of Special Education at Virginia State. His thirst for education continued so he entered the doctoral degree program in Special Education at the University of Virginia (UVA). On August 14, 1971, he received his Ph.D. from UVA in Education. During his working and retirement years, some of the organizations he became involved with include: Scoutmaster with Troop 134; Life Membership with the NAACP; Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Member; VSU Alumni; Member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Past member of M.W. Prince Hall Lodge of Virginia, and F&A Masons, Inc., Lodge No. 81. He particularly loved his garden and enjoyed picking fresh vegetables for a meal. He always took on a challenge and could find a solution for most things, but he could not find the solution to stop the many deer and rabbits from eating his plants. It didn’t matter what broke, he could fix it. He shared a lot of sayings that many remember: “If you don’t know what to do, watch me.” “READ, READ, READ!” “No good deed goes unpunished.” He always set an example and was a role model for many. You could set his word in stone. He was the best at-home patient ever. He was all that and a bag of chips! As his granddaughter Jodie posted: “He was someone very extraordinary… accomplished in ALL areas, quick witted, handsome, strong, loving, an intellectual, charming, no nonsense, someone who commanded respect, remarkable. Never seen a man of his age look so youthful and constantly laugh.” The beloved father of James O. White and Mamie V. White was predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years Juphenia O. White on January 27, 2018. Along with his children, he is survived by three grandchildren, Jodie Landry (Richard) of Katy, Texas; Keisha Johnson (Kenneth), and Omar White (LaDonna) both of Richmond; 12 great grandchildren, Kionna, Kadia, Kyle, Jordon, Kia, Kristin, Omar, Jr., Ryan, Kahlih, Kanyah, Kalaya, and Kennia; four great-great grandchildren, Kamaya, Destiny, Antonio and Aamir; one cousin, Margaret Roberts of Roanoke, VA, one brother-in-law, Augustus A. Brown of Ruthville, VA, and many other family members, friends and neighbors.

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James Arthur White

September 25, 1922 - June 8, 2018