Roll Call Tribute

James Riley "Jim" White, Jr. 

May 19, 1941 - November 13, 2024 

James (Jim) R. White, Jr., left this earth peacefully at home on November 13th, 2024. He was born May 19th, 1941, to James Riley White and Lydia Hollas, both who have preceded him in passing along with his sister Lillian Van De Walle and his nephew Keith Van De Walle.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Sylvia, of 52 years and their loving son Jason Richard White (Kimberly), as well as a niece, Andrea Van De Walle and nephews, David Van De Walle, David Edmister, Richard Montemayor, Jacob Garcia and Michael Garcia.

He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio and Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree.

Jim graduated from OCS at Ft. Belvoir, VA as a 2LT CE and spent a rewarding two-year tour in the Republic of South Korea and Japan earning the Meritorious Service Medal as Chief Engineer, leading his Division, supervising staff and project development for three Post Engineers in the southern half of the Republic.

Returning to San Antonio he earned his Architect Registration and spent the next 40 years as Architect on hospitals, hotels, medical and office projects including Metropolitan Methodist Hospital where he met the love of his life, Sylvia. Other projects included Sea World of Texas, the Psychological Corporation, Fiesta Texas and its Waterpark and World Savings Campus buildings. During this time, Jim joined a national Design-Build firm in St Louis as Architectural Project Manager for medical and banking facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Hawaii.

Jim was passionate about his home, gardening, cooking and travel. One of Jim’s goals was to create a retirement home for him and Sylvia to enjoy. Jim labored on the project, wanting to incorporate designs from their trips to Europe and the highlands of Mexico. He wanted to bring the outside inside and he indeed accomplished that in his design. He was a member and board member of Gardening Volunteers of South Texas. Jim enjoyed volunteering at many local gardening events to include Festival of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, Pearl Market, SAWS Spring Bloom and volunteering with Jerry Parsons at Peterson’s Nursery. Jim along with Sylvia developed and organized the Watersaver Landscape Tour in 2017.

His passion for cooking was enjoyed by those that spent time with him. It included several ethnic varieties, and he attended several classes at the Culinary Institute of America. The travel experiences throughout his life were extensive. Jim and Syl enjoyed many trips around the Colonial Highlands and coastal cities of Mexico, most islands of the Caribbean, Italy, Munich, Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Their favorite being Italy, which they visited three wonderful times.

Jim lived a happy and remarkable life with many accomplishments and will be truly missed. His quick smile, wit and laughter will never be forgotten. Thank you to all the family and friends for your support during this time.

Services:
Viewing will be held December 1st between 5-8 pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapel Cherry Ridge, 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr. A Mass will be offered December 2nd at 12 pm at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church,223 E. Summit. Interment will follow at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter at 1:30 pm, 1520 Harry Wurzbach.