James Dean White

James Dean White, 87 passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Pawleys Island SC on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 with his devoted and beloved wife by his side.

Jim was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 19, 1935 to Dean Cudd White and Elizabeth Bishop White.  The family moved to Raeford, NC where he was raised with his brothers Paul and John.  He told tales of many fond memories of his childhood.

Jim attended the University of North Carolina.  He fostered his style and love of clothes while working in the retail store of Alexander Julian in Chapel Hill.  He was a classy dresser!  He never owned a pair of jeans! Always khaki or dress pants, a button-down shirt and oh how he loved cashmere sweaters.  His closet was full of sport coats, suits, dress shirts, all sorted by color and a floor full of shoes.  Most times he wore penny loafer, no socks!

Jim started is work career in Winston-Salem, NC in pharmaceutical sales and later transitioning into a 50-year career in the automobile business. He was owner/operator of Jim White Ford in Albemarle, NC until closed in 1982. He worked with other dealer in management and consulting in Charlotte NC, Shelby NC, Rock Hill SC, Lubbock TX, and sundry dealers in CA before returning to NC.  It was his privilege to work, teach and mentor many young men and women that he was proud to call friends. The last ten years, he worked servicing his customers of EVO Merchant Services.

A 30-year resident of Charlotte NC, Jim and his wife retired to Pawleys Island SC in 2017. When people would ask, “Do you golf or do you fish?  His reply was no to both. They would ask, “Why did you retire to the beach?” His reply “For the beach, beach and more beach!”.  He and his wife spent countless days with a picnic lunch on the beach under an umbrella where he was an avid people watcher.  His theme song was “I’m a Girl Watcher”. He loved going to movies and enjoying them with theater popcorn and a coke.  He followed the UNC Tarheels, Carolina Panthers and was a die hard NY Yankees fan.

He enjoyed Pawleys many fine dining to flounder dinner at the Seafood Hut in Calabash and loved his wife’s cooking.  After dinner rides in the convertible to Gilbert’s Ice Cream was his favorite way to end his day.

Jim was truly a Southern gentleman who loved God in his daily life and whose impact will forever be felt by his family that loved him dearly.  He was a selfless man whose passing has left an unfillable gap in our hearts. His love will forever be ingrained in all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Patricia Fleming White, his son Franklin Dean White (Denise Sherman) of Missoula MT, his daughter Elizabeth White Palmer of Clover SC, grandchildren Grace Elizabeth Palmer, Maggie Jane Palmer, Mara Rhyne White, and Nathan Edward White, brothers W. Paul White of Raleigh NC, John C. White (Linda) of Walnut CA and his many loving nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parent, Dean C. White and Elizabeth B. White, Michael J. Palmer, son-in-law and Susan K. White, sister-in-law.

The family wishes to acknowledge the professional, caring staff of Amedisys Hospice, especially Allison, Kelly, Stefanie, Ellie, Alycia, Kelly and Julie.  Also to Scott Bosiger and the kind, caring staff of Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Murrells Inlet SC.

In lieu of flower, please consider a donation in Jim’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, keepitgreeninsc.com or charity of your choice.  A Celebration of Life service will be held in Charlotte NC at a later date.

Condolences may be made at www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services (843.651.1440} of Murrells Inlet SC is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.