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Obituary for James "Jim" Merideth White
James (“Jim”) M. White, age 76, retired Executive Vice President and former Director of Jackson Newell Paper Company, died peacefully and went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 24, 2022, at University of Mississippi Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Jim was the son of Cyril M. White and Velma Sweet White, born on Christmas Day 1945. A 1964 graduate of Murrah High School and a 1969 graduate of Mississippi State University, Jim was a lifelong resident of Jackson. He would have celebrated the 50th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved bride, Sandi, on March 18, 2022. Jim and Sandi were married in 1972 and joined Christ United Methodist Church in 1974. He was a man of deep faith, and they remained loyal members there for decades.
Noted by all who knew him for his warmth, humor, ready smile and wry wit, Jim was an avid fisherman – beginning with his grandfather in the Mississippi Delta and continuing with his parents and younger brother at the family cabin near D’Lo and later at the family farm near Terry. Jim took pride in teaching all of his children to fish at early ages. Spending time at the farm became a favorite family outing for many years. His love of fishing expanded as his son got older, taking many trips together to the Louisiana marshes to catch speckled trout and redfish.
A family friend also described Jim as something of a horticultural pioneer, noting that he successfully grew tomatoes hydroponically, “farm-to-table”, before that was fashionable, termed by his children as “Dad’s Upside-Down Bucket Tomatoes.”
Jim’s love of sports began early in life, attending sporting events with his father who was a coach and referee. Little League was a big part of Jim’s childhood, making many memories and friends as a member of teams such as the Pine Sol Kids. Jim’s affinity for all things sports carried into his adult life, always counted on to know the daily lineup of games, matches, and tournaments. He was also a devoted Mississippi State Bulldog fan, faithfully attending games with Sandi, friends, and the kids for decades. Most recently, Jim rejoiced in State’s first ever National Championship as winners of the College Baseball World Series in 2021!
Jim began his career at the paper company working summers in the warehouse as a teenager under the guidance of his father, longtime business executive in Jackson, and they began full-time work there together upon Jim’s graduation from college where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. His love of food (which he never lost) led him to assume the role of Kitchen Manager for the fraternity, earning him the nickname “Mother White”. As an alumnus, he was instrumental in raising funds for a new on-campus chapter house and joined in actions to honor the brotherhood’s long-term house mother, Mom Adams.
Jim was beloved by numerous loyal customers he developed and cultivated over many years in Vicksburg as well as the Jackson area. He truly loved his work and his customers; faithfully attending to each one’s needs and never missing the opportunity to end the work week with crab legs at a customer's Friday night seafood buffet!
The love of Jim’s life was his family, never failing to attend – along with Sandi – basketball games, tennis matches, baseball games (even practices), swim meets, Jackson Prep Pacer performances, dance recitals, piano recitals, choir concerts and more of his son and his two daughters. His loving devotion extended to his three grandchildren, ages 12, 6, and 5, cherishing every moment with them. Affectionately known as both Granddaddy and G’Dada, Jim never turned down a game of Old Maid, a push in the swing, or a request to read a favorite book. His brother, Larry, commented that the welfare of Jim’s family governed every decision he made.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his daughter Karen Ann White, daughter Kristi White Stuckey (Alan), and son Kevin James White (fiancée, Melody Amanda Frusha), grandchildren Meredith Campbell Stuckey, Miller James Stuckey, and Baker Alan Stuckey, brother Larry Joe White (Helen Carter Hoyt), father-in-law, Rev. Percy Miller Campbell, brother-in-law, Stan Campbell, sister-in-law, Joyce Campbell Perry (Don) and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his oldest daughter Faith White, who died in infancy, his mother-in-law Emma Gene Campbell, and his sister-in-law Betsy Reno White.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022, at Christ United Methodist Church Jackson at 2:00 pm, with visitation beginning at the church at 1:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to The Arthritis Foundation, Christ United Methodist Church Jackson, and Mississippi State University.
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