James Leigh White enjoyed 75 years during which he lived well - devoted to family, loyal to his wife Maria of 54 years, and proud father of Tim (Sonia Oyola), James Todd and Kymn (Joe Kochanek). But his greatest joy was found in his relationships with his 5 grandchildren – Alyeska (21), Colton (19), Simone (11), Maxwell James (9) and Sofia (7). In his nearly 20 years of retirement from management consulting, he has been heavily involved in the day-to-day care of Alyeska and Colton and in their school work and musical development - Aly with harp, Colton with piano. He was also happily but more limitedly involved in the musical development of each of his 3 younger grandchildren – Simone on piano, now flute, Max on violin and Sofia on piano. It gave him great joy at family gatherings when each child would perform music on their instrument of choice.

He had studied piano early in life during which he learned to read music. Although he appreciated music broadly, particularly classical music, his interest in playing music lay fallow for many decades until his grandchildren came of age to take music classes as toddlers. He became their Suzuki music coach in his 50s, playing some on his own, and taking violin lessons in his 70s.

Born to Ralph and Gertrude White in Pennsylvania, he is survived by his two sisters who still reside there. He completed his Ph.D. in Psychology at Penn State and taught at several of the campuses where he also enjoyed an active lifestyle in various sports and activities. In the 1970s, he and Maria moved their family to Wheaton when he changed careers. As his work called for regular travel, he enjoyed the small town feel of Wheaton and the fact that he could walk to the post office, library and other offerings of the community. A daily figure at the Wheaton Sports Center, he took excellent care of himself and enjoyed cycling and running in his middle years – running a marathon in Maui, Hawaii in the 1980s. His personal and business travel took him to 49 of the 50 states. And he traveled to Europe with his son, Timothy, where he enjoyed a cycling tour.

His life was cut short on Thanksgiving morning when he lost his 18 month battle with CML – chronic myeloid leukemia.

Jim strongly preferred no ceremony around his death - no funeral, wake or memorial. He preferred we all remember him as he had lived – as the family leader, athlete, dedicated grandfather and vital man that he always was.

In lieu of flowers, any donations may be sent to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. http://www.lls.org/#/waystohelp/donate/ is where you can donate in the name of a loved one.