THE MODESTO BEE
Modesto, California
Monday, August 20, 2007


James Oren White, Jr., 77, of Modesto passed away Monday at Memorial Medical Center. 

Mr. White was born in Bunnell, Florida, the son of James Oren and Fannie Mae McKenzie White and brother of JoAnne White Brooks, currently of Raleigh, North Carolina. 

After graduating High School, he attended Mars Hill College, North Carolina and the University of Florida in Tallahassee until he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force serving from 1950 - 1954. He then attended San Jose State College earning a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and an M.A. in School Administration. He taught in the Hayward Unified School District 14 years before coming to Modesto in 1968, where he served as Principal of several elementary schools in the Modesto City Schools District until his retirement in 1991. 

Mr. White was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church serving two terms on the Parish Council in the early 1980's. He taught and scheduled Altar Servers for 10 years and served several years as a Lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, St Joseph's Council #10644. He was an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation. He was interested in history and other cultures and traveled widely. He enjoyed oil painting, reading, golf and dancing. 

Mr. White is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Janice White, and by his loving family ~ Jeffrey W. White of Turlock; James M. and Beth White of Sanger; Julie and Dodge Hendee of Modesto; Jocelyn and Mark Kollasch of Vancouver, Washington; Jennifer Brown and Jonathan White of Modesto. His beloved grandchildren are Adam, Austin and Andria White; Katelyn, Ashlyn and James Patrick White; Christopher, Jared, Steven and Clayton Hendee; Carson and Lauren Kollasch; Jamie Nicole and Andrew Brown and Matthew Cardoso. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. 

Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 at Salas Brothers Chapel. Mass and Rosary will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road. Entombment at Lakewood Memorial Mausoleum in Hughson. 

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, N.P.C., P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or to St. Joseph's World Youth Day Fund.