Ivan Jim Whitt, 86, who lived in Baker City before moving to the Tri-Cities area, died December 16, 2005, in the loving arms of his family.
He was born April 7, 1915, in Leander, Texas, and resided in Tularosa, New Mexico, until going into the Army in October 1942.
Jim served with the 690th Replacement Company throughout the Luzon campaign during World War II. He was discharged in February 1946 and served as an Air Force reservist until January 1960. He lived in Baker City several years before moving to the Tri-Cities.
He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 3048 in Baker City and a member of Pipefitters Local 598 in the Tri-Cities.
Jim loved to fish, hunt and go camping. His family remembers many wonderful outings with him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Evans Whitt; father, Davis Dolliver Whitt; his former wife and mother of his children, Verla Whitt; brothers, Wiley, Riley, Jess and Johnny Whitt; sister, Corrine; and stepson, Gary Wayne Shankle.
He is survived by his wife, Martha of Benton City, Wash.; daughters, Cecile and Gary Horn, Karen and Tom Hoyle; sons, Vernon and Steven; his stepchildren, Jerry and Ila Rae Shankle, Brenda Rohner, Theresa Shankle, Doris Fay Shankle, Phillip and Marilyn Shankle, Norman Shankle and Kathy Baker; five grandchildren, numerous step grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.
Formal services will be held at a later date. Visitation will be at Einan’s Funeral Home from noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2005.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to Office of Research, P O Box 641033, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-1033 (specify for Alzheimer’s research) or Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, 2108 W. Entiat Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336.
Express your thoughts and memories in the online Guest Book at www.einansfuneralhome.com.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 23, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor