James Wm. White

James Wm. White

Cedar Rapids

James Wm. White passed peacefully on December 16, 2025.

Jim was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 5, 1935. Upon graduation from Franklin High School in 1953, he attended Iowa State University and University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. He was married to D. Jean Henderson on November 10,1956.

He served six years in the United States Army and Reserves, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He held many positions, from engineering at Allis Chalmers to teaching English and History at Linn Mar High school. He earned a graduate degree in Library Science and became the director of the Musser Public Library, in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1968.

While in Muscatine, he rebuilt the library, was captain of the Civil Air Patrol and served as president on several community groups such as Muscatine Masquers. In 1976, he accepted the director position for the La Crosse Public Library. He spearheaded several remodels and expansions during his time in La Crosse. Jim continued to be active in the arts, singing at church, with UW-La Crosse choral union and the Coulee Chordsmen.

Upon retirement, he and Jean returned to Cedar Rapids where he served as Executive Director at the Carl and Mary Koehler History Center for four years.

His greatest joys second only to his family were reading, learning, singing and woodworking.

Preceding him in death were his parents James B and Caroline Catherine (Schnepf), three sisters Alice, Phyllis and Dorothy, and his son William. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jean, his daughters Cathy, Christy and Carol and daughter-in-law, Jackie, 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 715 38th St. SE, in Cedar Rapids at 2 pm Saturday, December 20. Memorial gifts may be made to Faith Presbyterian.