James Edward Whitmire

James (Jim) Edward Whitmire, 79, of Millsap, Texas, passed away on August 8, 2023, at home.

James worked with Tandy Leather Company for 34 years, retiring as President of the company in 1996. He later worked with his daughter for 10 years at the Centre for Neuro Skills in Irving. He loved time on his small hobby farm and was a voracious reader who enjoyed his library, treasured his books and watched The Christmas Carol year-round. He adored his family and could always find an opportunity to make a long story longer.

James was born in Houston and his younger years were spent in Cold Springs, Texas before moving to Wise County where he attended school and worked as a cowboy on a 3,000-acre cattle ranch. Here, he learned leathercraft and enjoyed making gifts and items to sell before eventually going to work for Tandy.

James is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred Rudd Whitmire. The childhood sweethearts met in 6th grade in Slidell, Texas, and went on to be two of the eleven in their graduating class. They married in ’62 and spent every day since then taking care of each other.

James leaves a son, Jeff Whitmire (wife Marcy), and grandson, Michael James Whitmire of Pilot Point, along with daughter, Sandra Whitmire Davis (husband Chuck), and grandchildren, Megan Ann Davis and Ian Andrew Davis of Fort Worth; siblings: Jack Wayne Whitmire (JoAnne) of Austin, Vina Mae Remorenko (Randy) of Valley View, Sammie Lee Whitmire (Sofia) of Sanger, and Ross Blake Whitmire (Linda) of Fentress. 

He was preceded in death by his parents: Wilson Easby Whitmire II and Mary Jane Whitmire of Slidell, and brother, Wilson Easby Whitmire III. 

The family recognizes James’ special friends: Dennis Miller, Mike Baker, and Randy Remorenko, and the extraordinary relationship James had with his grandson, Michael.

A celebration in James’ honor will be held at the Brock Community Center - 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 2, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Brock-Dennis Fire ESD 9 - Station 1. 1107 FM 1189, Millsap, Texas 76066. Chief Travis and his team are a blessing to the Whitmire family.

Please share a memory for the Whitmire family at www.galbreaithpickard.com.