James T. White

James T. White "Jim"
died at home on Sunday, February 4, at the age of 87. Jim's values were evident in how he spent his life. He was devoted to his family and his friends. He was loyal, ethical and meticulous. Jim was generally quiet, but with a great sense of humor. He was passionate about music and loved to teach. He was willing to take risks to do the things he loved besides music - auto racing, parachuting, flying small planes and glider planes, as well as the less risky hobby of yard care. Jim loved all things mechanical and loved touring the engine rooms of boats, trains and planes. He loved to travel and had visited practically all 50 US states, as well as Mexico, Canada, Europe and China. His wide range of friends and colleagues from all walks of life helped him celebrate his 87th birthday, where Jim was the consummate host and gentleman, even after two strokes.

Jim taught many students over his 65 years as a music educator. He taught high school band in Indiana at Seymour, Carmel and Warren Central. He served as the arts coordinator for the State Department of Instruction under Dr. Harold Negley and owned his own band uniform and accessory business, ActionBand, until his death. In his retirement years he taught private trumpet students in middle school and high school, with a few adults included. Jim was a frequent judge at the Indiana State Band competitions, always trying to encourage every student through his written and verbal comments. He was a life member of Phi Beta Mu music fraternity.

Jim began his professional trumpet career at the age of 11, when he won first place in the Ohio Northeastern District elementary school solo contest. While so many musicians were away during WW II, Jim was recruited, at the age of 16, to substitute for them in local dance venues. He went on to play with the Eddie Howard Band, Tommy Wills Band and several combos. As a volunteer, he played with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band for over 50 years, as well as the Indianapolis Municipal Band, New Horizons, Trumpets of Indy and the Faith Presbyterian quintet. One of Jim's favorite music "gigs" was conducting the Robin Run Big Band, and watching older adults renew their interest in instrumental music. His musician friends knew him as "the ultimate gentleman, brilliant and versatile musician", as inscribed when he received the Robert A. Phillips Service to Music Award from the ISB in 2006.

Jim was married to Jessica White for 28 years. He was the father to Mark White (Anna), Wendy White (Peter), and Julia White (Jack) and stepfather to Gretchen Martin (Randy) and Chris Hume.

Jim was a 28-year member of North United Methodist Church, where he and Jessica sang with the Cathedral Singers and Jim played with the North Church Brass.

Jim was born in Berea, Ohio on June 27, 1930, to Lyle and Marian White. He graduated from Miami of Ohio and received his Master's Degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied under William Adam and with whom he maintained a life-long friendship.

In addition to his children, Jim is survived by grandchildren Bergen White, Evan White and Harper Wilamoski; step-grandchildren Sean Martin, Aaron Martin, Nicole Gallo (Ryan) and great grandsons, Lucas Martin and Remington Gallo.

The family is deeply grateful for the generous and grace-filled care that Jim received over the past seventeen months, which enabled him to live in comfort at home. We especially want to thank his devoted caregivers Sheryl Davis, Angie Ballard and Patricia Houston. We are thankful, however, to everyone affiliated with the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana and Transitions Hospice who contributed to his care. We'd also like to acknowledge Dr. Charles Cornett and Dr. Angela Carbone, who cared for Jim until the end with respect and professionalism. We were blessed to have all these people in our lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Phillips Music Guild of Indianapolis, the William Adam Trumpet Scholarship at the IU School of Music, or the music fund of North United Methodist Church.

A memorial service and celebration of Jim's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at North United Methodist Church, 38th & Meridian, with calling one hour prior. Family and friends are invited to gather afterwards for food and to share memories of Jim.

Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral & Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.