Jim White

After spending a week doing his favorite things - trying to keep up with his grandchildren and doing ranch chores - Jim White unexpectedly passed from this earth on April 2, 2014. Services will be Monday, April 7, at 2:00 pm at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, NE, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs, SD. Please join the family at the Oelrichs Community Hall for fellowship afterwards. Denim and boots will be appropriate. Jim was born March 26, 1942 to Charles E. "Pete" and Marjorie B. (Cavanaugh) White in Chadron, NE. Two brothers followed, Bill and Tom. He was raised on the White Homestead east of Oelrichs and graduated from Oelrichs High School in 1960. He then attended Colorado State University and received a Bachelor's of Science in Animal Science. He was a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity Builder of Men. He also served as the CSU Stampede President. While calf roping during a Stampede, he suffered an ankle injury. Jim was then drafted into the United States Army for a short time until they realized he had been telling them the truth about not being able to meet their expectations due to the plate in his ankle. On December 18, 1966, he married Cheryl Boldon of Oglala, SD, in Chadron. The couple lived at the homestead until 1969 when they bought the Broken Box Ranch from Ray and Marian Harrison. That summer, their first daughter, Tobie, was born. Heidi followed in 1972 and their son, James Hardin "Hardy", in 1975. The couple raised their family on the ranch until relocating into Oelrichs in 1987. After spending the majority of his years ranching east of Oelrichs, Jim took on the adventure of laying fiber optic cable for AT&T in California. For the last several years, he had been hauling fuel for Big Bat's and Harms Oil. He enjoyed being on the road and visiting with the folks he met. Speaking of the road, for all who didn't know, there was only one thing to know about traveling with Jim . . . if he could help it, you wouldn't be taking the same road home as you went on! He liked "to get out and see some country", which explains why he had a pilot's license in his younger years and the passion he had for flying over the Broken Box Ranch and White Homestead, as well as making sure all was well with the neighbors along the way. Jim served his community in a multitude of ways throughout his life. He served on the Oelrichs School Board, Fall River County Fair Board and Fall River County Commissioners. He was a South Dakota Brand Inspector and member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers. He also served as President of The Young Cattleman's Association. He was a licensed Real Estate Appraiser. He enjoyed participating in 4-H in his youth and in leadership while his kids participated in their youth. His last gift was sight and better health through donation. Jim is survived by his wife Cheri; daughters Tobie (Pat) Copp of Scottsbluff, NE and Heidi of Denver, CO; son Hardy (Mandy) of Torrington, WY; grandchildren Jessy James (12), Avery Asher and Josey Jean (4). He is also survived by brothers Bill (Judy), Tom (Lori); Uncle Bob Cavanaugh; mother-in-law Dolores Boldon; brothers-in-law Roy (Bunny) Boldon, Clay (Vicki) Boldon, Wayde (Sam) Boldon; sisters-in-law Sandra McMahan and Cindy (Doug) Foster and special cousins Bonnie Varick and Franklin Manke. Numerous nieces and nephews will remember their Uncle Jim as well. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law W.R. Boldon; and grandson Casey Wayne White. Jim was so proud of his grandkids, and they adored him. You could see him light up when he talked about how well Jessy rides and understands working cattle; how quick thinking Josey is and how Avery can tell a story. Lovins' Always, Grandpa Jim

Service:

Monday, April 7, 2014~2:00 PM

Chamberlain Chapel