James Thomas McWhirter Jr.

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James T. McWhirter Jr. passed away at age 80 on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. James (Jim) was born in rural Marion Co Alabama on June 23, 1932 to James T. McWhirter Sr. and Florine B. McWhirter. He was the oldest son of a family of 4 boys and 2 girls. He loved to tell colorful stories of his childhood in Alabama which often ended with a reference to his great dislike of snakes, which were plentiful in his homeland.

After graduating from Winfield High School in 1951, Jim obtained a job on a survey crew with the John W. Galbreath Co. in Fairfield, AL. He was inducted into the Army in February of 1953 where he received further training as a surveyor and was assigned as an Artillery Survey Specialist in the 8th Infantry Regiment. Most of his military duty was stationed in Germany and from there he was able to visit England and his Scottish ancestral home. He had many fond memories of the friends he made there and of a world so different from his Alabama home.

Jim was discharged from the army on February 18, 1955 with rank of Sergeant and was (to hear him tell it) "dropped off unceremoniously into another foreign land", that being the State of California. Recollections of his first impressions of his new home state were a topic of conversation throughout his life. However, it was not long before he found many things to fall in love with in the state he called home for the rest of his life. He became an avid fisherman of its lakes, streams and rivers and he loved the mountains and deer hunting.

Jim met his wife of 56 years, Nancy, in a college math class at Shasta College in Redding CA in the fall of 1955. They were married on September 28, 1956. Both found work in the California Division of Highways; Jim as an engineering technician and Nancy as a drafting aid. Jim continued his education at Shasta College and Sacramento State College where he received a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1962. Back in Redding he continued his career with the state and retired on his birthday in 1992 with 37 years of service. More than anything, he enjoyed working outdoors on construction projects and at the time of his retirement he was head of one of Caltrans District II's construction departments.

Jim was outgoing and made many friends through the years and took pleasure in recounting memories of them. He was a long time member and Past Master of the Masonic Lodge at Western Star Lodge #2 in Old Shasta and was a recipient of the Hiram Award in recognition of his service to the organization. He received the California Medal of Valor in May 1989 for his actions that saved a young man from a burning vehicle. The medal was awarded to him personally by then governor George Deukmejian, and this was a memorable moment in Jim's life. Four years into his retirement, Jim began to have occasional episodes of falling while negotiating stairs. This persisted and he eventually sought medical advice and diagnosis. After several years of seeking medical help, he was finally diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, a rare auto-immune disease affecting the muscles. As the disease progressed, Jim lost his mobility and for the past six years was confined to a wheel chair. As the disease took its toll, his health continued to decline and it was a significant factor in his death. The family is grateful that his passing was quick and peaceful.

Jim is predeceased by his brother Harold McWhirter. He is survived by his wife , Nancy of Redding; two sons, James T. McWhirter III of San Jose and Bruce E. McWhirter of Keswick ; seven grandchildren: Daniel S. McWhirter of Los Angeles, Elizabeth Anne Scott of Casper WY, Ruth Ellen Crossley of Langley B.C., James T. McWhirter IV of San Jose, Haleigh McWhirter-Martin and Courtney McWhirter both of Redding and Richard C. McWhirter of San Jose; four siblings: sister, Jerry Estell of Birmingham AL, brother, John McWhirter of New Orleans, LA, brother, Don McWhirter and sister, Sherry Johnson, both of Redding and four great-grandchildren. A chapel service with military honors will be held Friday, January 18 at 1:00PM with a Masonic graveside service and hospitality rece

ption following at Lawncrest Chapel and Memorial Park, 1522 E. Cypress Ave, Redding, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memoriam to the California Masonic Homes, 1111 California St., San Francisco, CA 94108-2284 or online at www.freemason.org/contribute/donateHonor.htm