1940 - 2022
James Mitchell Whitmore, age 81, was born August 17, 1940 in his home at Scott City, KS and passed away June 26, 2022 in his home at Burlington, CO surrounded by family.
Jim and his 2 brothers, David and Richard, and sisters, Ethel, Josie and Janice, were raised on the farm in Scott City and worked alongside their parents raising feed crops. Jim attended Shallow Water School and it was there that he met his future wife, Kathy (Eames) and this union lasted for over 60 years. Kathy and Jim married in 1959 and moved to Burlington, CO the same year. Jim began his farming career working for Jeff and Esther Mulch for a dollar an hour. Jim worked very long hours with just a 4020 tractor and a little disc planter. Jim was so dedicated to making a living in farming that other farmers in the area started noticing his work and before long Jim was farming 5,000 acres! Jim and Kathy eventually were able to purchase Mr. Miller's house at 9836 Rd. 57 and it was there that son(s) Jerry was born in 1960, and Mike was born in 1962.
Jim told Kathy that instead of working in town, she would be able to serve him best by staying at home raising the boys, running for parts, and in her spare time work the summer fallow and wheat stubble. Many people will remember Jim's co-worker Henry Eames, Kathy's father, in the early days of farming. Henry worked for Jim for many, many years. When Mike got old enough to run the equipment the three, Mike, Henry and Jim turned the operation into what it is today. Over the years, Jim eventually handed the operation over to Mike. Jim and Kathy even decided to leave their beloved house on the farm and moved into town in 2013. Jim had a desire to serve the people of Burlington and make a difference. As a result, Jim was asked to fill in the remaining term of County Commissioner for Dave Korbelik.
Jim served on many boards while commissioner and this position lasted for over 10 years. Serving on boards had Jim very busy traveling to various meetings in Denver. Jim will be remembered for his quiet, calm presence and a strong moral compass. Jim did not talk much, but when he did, everyone listened. In the midst of chaos, everyone would turn to Jim and in his diplomatic way, a solution could be found. He served as an elder in his Church up until the time he became sick. He has been a member of Farm Bureau since 1976. He served on the Water Board for almost 20 years until he turned over his position to Mike, who went on to serve another 15 years, His greatest pleasure was playing with his grandkids Alexandra, Shane and Shadd on the farm. Mike, Karla and the kids would gather around the supper table with Jim and Kathy and Jim always had a cute joke to tell.
The boys will recall, however, that Jim told a joke about "how to catch a polar bear". The boys found it so funny they repeated the joke at school the next day and shortly after Mike received a call from the principal at elementary school stating that perhaps this particular joke would be best left at home. That polar bear joke is still brought up when remembering funny tales of Jim and his sense of humor. Jim was able to spend his final days at home and passed peacefully in his sleep. Jim will be sadly missed by his wife Kathy, son Mike and wife Karla, Mike's children Alexandra, Shane Whitmore and wife Chelsea and their son Dean Mitchell; Shadd Whitmore and fiancee Barbara Marks; brother Richard Whitmore and wife Shirley, sister Ethel (Whitmore) VanCampen and Richard., and many devoted relatives, cousins and great neighbors and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ray & Verde Whitmore, son Jerry Whitmore, and brother David Whitmore, and sisters Josie Bonorris and Janice Pritts.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday July 2, 2022 at Love Funeral Home Chapel in Burlington. Memorial Contributions may be made in James' name to the Mountain States Children's Home, Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital or a charitable foundation of your choice.
