James Whitt, Jr.

At this time of James' sunset, we celebrate his rich life. He embraced life with a spirit of exploration and wonder about the world and humanity.  James had a remarkable way of thinking about life which manifested in the way he treated people. He was kind-hearted, generous, and considerate. 

James' interests and passions were those that tapped his creativity and critical thinking prowess as well as challenged him physically.  These included playing basketball (power forward position), chess, boxing, jogging, weight lifting, gardening and landscaping, wood sculpting, reading, writing fiction, and arm chair philosophizing.  He was known for bringing uncommon perspectives to discussions of societies biggest challenges and controversies. He boldly argued his position, backed up by his own paradigms developed from endless hours of reading and study of world history and philosophers such as Nietzsche and Marx. In the mid-80s, his thinking evolved to a more socially conservative space. Needless to say, James was a deep thinker, and discussions with him could be intense, and always thought provoking and stimulating. 

Driven by a desire to continuously learn new skills and achieve his dreams, James set lofty goals to expand his horizons.  In his late 30s, James became an avid runner and devoted considerable time to enhancing his fitness to run long distances.  He completed the Baltimore Marathon, the first race he entered, and ran his own long-distance course from Baltimore City to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  He realized his dream of entrepreneurship, first in the early 90s selling fruit from his pick-up truck in downtown Baltimore and in the late 90s, launching his hauling company, Jim's Hauling. Inspired by his keen observations in this new line of work, James wrote the article “What A Dump” published in the Baltimore City Paper in the late 90s. This success as a published and compensated author motivated him to write the book Revenge of the Shoe Shine Boys. This fictional short novel draws from his experience growing up in East Baltimore and helping his father at his shoe shine stand in the 1950s.

James also encouraged his three daughters to dream big, create, work hard, and take risks for their own self-actualization and to positively impact the world. Their careers and other pursuits - which have included hair salon owner and hair product developer/inventor; high school teacher/administrator, overseas sports & educational tour director, and college basketball coach; and doctorate prepared community and health equity researcher and nonprofit executive director - made James immensely proud.

James influenced his daughters to appreciate fitness and wellness in the outdoors.  James loved the natural world including animals - big to insect-sized - and enjoyed walks near tranquil waters and wooded areas.  His ad hoc approach to exploring spaces brought a sense of adventure.  Though this approach backfired the time he decided, as he would share, on a whim to go solo camping in Colorado without a plan for how to coexist with the nearby howling wolves.  James’ love for space and place was cultivated as a child where he had the opportunity to live in diverse areas in Baltimore including Cherry Hill, Turner’s Station, and East Baltimore.   

After attending Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High School, James enlisted in the US Army. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division where he trained as a paratrooper. Following his honorable military service, James had various career pursuits including Baltimore City police officer, bus driver, and taxi cab driver.  He studied at Morgan State University and Baltimore City Community College, the later credentialing him for his 20+ year career as a Licensed Practical Nurse.   

James and his wife Bettye’s relationship spanned 29 years before her death in 1999.  It was following her death that James devoted his energy to operating Jim’s Hauling and writing and refining and refining again Revenge of the Shoe Shine Boys. He purchased a triplex and spent hours cultivating his lush and vibrant backyard garden. Renting one of his upstairs apartments to Clarence, his future son-in-law, for one year allowed them to build a solid relationship.

In 2009, James moved to Las Vegas for a change of scenery.  Las Vegas was a therapeutic shift for James. Within the first year, he quit smoking, a feat that had alluded him for more than 20 years. Captivated by the glitz, bright lights, and extravagant architecture of the Las Vegas Strip, James enjoyed walking through and experiencing the pulse of downtown Las Vegas.  James and his daughter Renae often walked and hiked at Mt. Charleston and Red Rock Canyon National Park.  They also ran in a running club on Saturdays and attended UNLV basketball games and athletic games at the school Renae taught. James enjoyed dining out with Renae and her friends and colleagues. A sweet tooth with a healthy appetite, he loved dining at the widely available lavish buffets. He delighted being with family members who visited Las Vegas. He was a beloved co-worker at one of the City Recreation department senior centers where he worked part-time with the facilities management team before retiring. 

In 2019, James moved back to Baltimore following a dementia diagnosis that was later confirmed to be Alzheimer's Disease. Although it was difficult for James to experience the cognitive changes that were occurring, his final years in Baltimore were filled with many highs.  One example is the times James spent with his granddaughter Samiyah who was 6 years old when he returned. He was able to experience playing outdoors with her, walk and discover nature in parks with her, and they shared their love for McDonalds. 

James additionally began attending the Victory Temple Community Church with Samiyah, Kantahyanee, and Clarence.  He was always eager to go to church on Sundays, and equally eager for church to end because one of the ministries would have candy bars and other snacks available. But seriously, James was pulled to church -- he could be seen swaying and clapping to the music and appreciated chatting with people after service. He was also pulled by the gospel of Jesus Christ. On one Sunday, he walked to the front of the church to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Being a member of the church held great meaning for James. One cherished memory is his participating in the Youth Walk-A-Thon at Lake Montebello where James, now a speed walker, walked around the lake 3 times in the time it took some folks to walk around 1 time. The last friendship James forged was with one of the Churches’ deacons. Both lived in the same small Assisted Living home for a time during the pandemic and provided companionship for one another.

Due to James’ declining health, he was never able to attend First Church of the Brethren where his membership was transferred following the merger of the two church communities.  We are grateful for his church family’s continual compassion, concern, and prayers for James in his final chapter. 

“Sonny” as he was nicknamed at an early age, was preceded in death by his parents, James, Sr. and Eva, brother, Warren, and sisters Doris and Harriet.  James leaves great memories for his family members to cherish including: his daughters (Sheila, Renae, and Kantahyanee); son-in-love (Clarence); granddaughter, Samiyah; Sisters (Sue, Eva, Margaret).  Special sister-in-law Jean Dale (Newman) and sister-cousin Denise (Richard). A host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.  

May you rest in peace, daddy, granddaddy, Sonny, uncle Sonny, uncle James, cousin, and friend.

*This obituary is a living document that will be updated as more stories are shared. Please contact Kantahyanee if you have something to share.

**Please look out for future information regarding a late spring 2025 outdoor gathering James' daughters will host in his honor.  

***Consider making a donation in his memory: https://www.friendsredrock.org/donate/. or  https://cylburn.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate