James Robert White Dies, LIC Resident Was Letter Carrier

James Robert White

James Robert White, a veteran of service in the United States Army during World War II, a letter carrier at the United States Postal Service General Post Office in New York City for 41 years, the father of five children and a longtime resident of Long Island City, died May 3, 2007 at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Jamaica. He was 84 years old.

White was born Aug. 17, 1922 in Asheville, North Carolina, the only child of James R. White Sr. and Bennie Mae Graves. He graduated from Stephens Lee H.S. in Asheville in 1939 and entered the Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia in 1940. His college career was interrupted by World War II; he was inducted into the United States Army Dec. 31, 1942 and entered into active duty Jan. 7, 1943. He saw service in New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines, returning to the United States on Jan. 12, 1946.

White married Eloise Hall at Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church in Englewood, New Jersey on Aug. 25, 1961. She preceded him in death Aug. 25, 1988. They had three children, Reggie B. White of Queens Village, Natalie A. White of Brooklyn and Erika L. White of Long Island City; all survive their parents. White had two other sons, Michael and James, both of Miami, Florida; they also survive him. He is also survived by Mr. and Mrs. Tim (Rhonda) Davis of Hampton, Virginia a cousin, Martha Lawrence of Columbus, Ohio, and cousins, dear friends and neighbors from the Ravenswood community.

White was a faithful parishioner and dedicated usher at St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church in Long Island City and an active member of the Ravenswood Senior Center since May 16, 2003. His main interests were playing bingo and pool, watching movies and participating in the center's picnics and traveling to special senior affairs. He also enjoyed attending Broadway musical productions with his family.

His interest in music began when he was in high school, where he played the drums and was known as "Krupa White" after drummer Gene Krupa. His favorite musical genre was big band jazz and swing and his favorite composer Count Basie. He followed the New York Knicks, Jets and Mets professional basketball, football and baseball teams and Notre Dame University football team. His taste in movies centered mainly on westerns and historical dramas. He traveled to Europe in 2001, returning September 10; on the trip he most enjoyed visiting France.

He resided at the Veterans' Administration Nursing Home in St. Albans from Nov. 21, 2006 after suffering a long illness.

Funeral arrangements were made by Thomas M. Quinn & Sons, Inc., 35-20 Broadway, Long Island City.