James Edward Whitman, 90, of Saluda peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.
James was born on May 18, 1931 in an area he called Happy Hallow off of Government Road in Richmond. He grew up in Church Hill and was a member of the Church Hill Gang, a bunch of guys hanging out together having fun. Among them were his special friends, Warner Scott, Tim Shealor and Henry Boshin.
In 1959 he went to work as an apprentice locksmith for the Richmond School Board and soon became head locksmith and then supervisor. He retired in 1990 after 30 years of service and he and his wife Kathleen moved to Saluda.
James loved country music and was quite a musician playing the guitar, piano and harmonica. He was a league bowler and loved to fish. He was a member of the County Line Hunt Club and still listened to his CB radio for where the dogs were headed, up till his passing.
He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Whitman; and mother, Ida Adams; brothers, George and John Whitman; and sister, Rosalie Kolosky.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Nora Kathleen Whitman; sister, Faye Parker; nephews, Eddie Jr. and James Parker; niece, Cheryl (Neal) Ingram; along with great nieces and nephews.
Special thanks goes to Donald Lee Hall, Warren and Donna Palmer, David and Ann Hall, Ashley Gallicchio and Beth Powell of Kindred Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 3 until 5 p.m. at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda. A graveside service is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Washington Memorial Park, Sandston.
