James Anderson Whitehouse

A Servant’s Heart
A servant’s heart is from above
Formed in kindness, graced with love -
A heart that soothes each hurt and pain,
A heart that gives, and gives again;
A heart that’s humble, a heart of care,
A heart of mercy, a heart of prayer.

The family of James Anderson Whitehouse, age 88 of Thomasville, NC announced his peaceful passing to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 6th, 2023. while surrounded by his beloved wife and children.
James, also widely known as “Jim”, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to the now late John Alfred Whitehouse and Virginia Caroline Hagloch Whitehouse on May 26, 1935. Raised as a child during the Great Depression and World War II, largely by his mother and her parents, Alfred and Jessie Jackson Hagloch. They instilled in him Christian values, thriftiness, education, fairness, and work ethic. He grew up in the small community of Clator in Ohio County where he attended Steenrod, Woodsdale, and
Triadelphia Schools. Even as a young boy he worked several jobs: lighting the kerosine oil lamps in the neighborhood at the tender age of eight, worked a paper route where he delivered newspapers to over sixty homes in his community and helped in a comic book store with his oldest brother, Robert “Tub”. He worked at the local bowling alley as a “pin setter” and also at the drive-in theater working concessions. James also helped his mother by going door to door selling Cloverine Salve. He loved his church and
unselfishly served in many capacities and at one time thought he would become a pastor. James was in the graduating class of 1953 Triadelphia High School, and in that same year enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly and honorably served for six years traveling the world. His most memorable stations of service were in Norfolk, Virginia, Seoul, Korea; and Canberra, Australia. He served at the American Embassy in Korea and in Australia and was awarded the National Defense Service
Medal, Good Conduct Medal and earned the rank of sergeant. James loved his country and even up to his passing considered himself a very proud U.S. Marine, never missing a day to proudly display the American flag in front of his home and removing it respectfully at dusk.
After serving his country, James returned to Wheeling where he studied at West Liberty State Teachers College. He began his successful career with Prudential, Security Life and Trust, Integon, and division branch management. He married his beloved, Dorothy Ann Hicks in July of 1961 and worked in Birmingham, AL and Durham NC before settling in Winston-Salem, NC to head the James A. Whitehouse Agency. James' success in the insurance industry earned him top notch producer in his own right
by recruiting, training, and motivating some of the industry's best sales people. With his many outstanding production and management capabilities, he received numerous state and national recognitions: The Insurance Industry President’s Trophy for Outstanding Management for many consecutive years, and the National Management Association gave him their National Management Award numerous times. Also, he was the first president of the Piedmont Triad General Agents and Managers Association.
After retiring from insurance, he also achieved success in commercial real estate and in retail with Sears in Winston-Salem and at Sears Coastal Grand in Myrtle Beach. He proudly kept his NC real estate/broker license current up until his passing.
In his lifetime, James had been a great civic leader by example in his community serving for a number of years with the Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, and served on the board of directors for the American Heart Association and the Exchange Club of America, Lions Club, and the Jaycees. He and his wife Dottie donated to many charities both locally and around the world, and proudly sponsored a child from South America from age five until she went on to college.
James’ greatest pride was his family and his love for the Lord Jesus. He loved to read and study the Bible and was a true prayer warrior. James never missed an opportunity to share his faith and help anyone who had a need regardless of how big or small the issue. What’s more, whenever he heard that someone was sick he was there for that person regardless of race, background, church affiliation, rich, poor, young or old. His grandchildren and great grandchildren called him ”Pop” and he was their biggest cheerleader, mentor and motivator. James was considered a “giver” by all who knew him. He never met a stranger. His compassion, empathy, and generosity was noted by everyone who knew him. He loved spending time with his family, was a voracious reader, a lifelong learner, enjoyed feeding and watching “his” birds, landscaping, thrifting, and sharing his deep faith in Jesus with others. One of the ways he would share his faith and his deep love for his wife Dottie was by having her sing the Lord’s Prayer as a blessing for others. Psalm 91 was one of his most cherished psalms. He tried to always live humbly with a true servant’s heart and wanted his family to follow suit.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack, Robert “Tub”, and Thomas Whitehouse all of Wheeling, West Virginia, his great grandson, Joshua Ryan Ward Jr. of Georgetown, SC, as well as a sister-in-law, Betty Jane Kachur of Yorkville, OH. James leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 62 years, Dorothy Ann Hicks Whitehouse, three sons, George M. Creek (Catherine) of Melbourne, Australia, Jay Anderson Whitehouse (Alyson) of Lake Charles, LA, Jonathan Lee Whitehouse (Colleen) of Thomasville, NC, as well as three daughters, Beth Ann. Whittaker (Mark) of Cornelius, NC, Jana Marie Ward (Michael Sr.) of Bonneau, SC; Rebecca Jo Cecil (John D. III) of Thomasville, NC. Also surviving are many grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jonathan Creek (Ra), and their children: Christian, Julian, and Sebastian; Michelle Creek Ho (Tim) and children: Alyssa and Harrison; Christopher Creek (Rita) and children: Audrey and Gabriel; Timothy Creek, all of Melbourne, Australia; Cameron Thomas and daughter, Charlee; Joelle Whitehouse, James Anderson Whitehouse II, all of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Misty Hurd (Andrew) and daughters: River and Palmer, of Charlotte, NC; Hunter Whittaker of New Orleans, LA; Wendy Vanderveen (Justin) and children: Strider, Emmett, Wyatt, and Pippa of Ontario, Canada; Michael Ward Jr. (Katie) and children Carsyn and Collyn of Jesup, GA; Joshua Ward Sr., Korey Ward, Jordan Ward of Bonneau, SC; Kaitlyn Black (Jordan) and children Gavin, Rowan, and Gracie; Hannah Osborne (Corey) and children: Easton, Wesley, Jackson and Everson, John Dallas Cecil IV, all of Thomasville, NC; Julia Baugess (Aaron) daughter: Sally May, of Lexington, NC: and Chassy Singleton of Thomasville, NC. Additionally, James has one surviving brother, Walter Reed Whitehouse (Liz), sisters-in-law: Carolyn Whitehouse and Debbie Gantzer (Mike), all of Wheeling, WV; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. 
Friends and family will be received for visitation at Our Lady of the Highways Catholic Church, 943 Ball Park Road, Thomasville, NC 27360 at 12:30 pm on Monday, October 23, 2023, and a Memorial Mass will follow at 1:00 pm.
 Private military interment for friends and family will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Thomasville.
The family asks that contributions be made to Our Lady of the Highways Church or Pierced Ministries of Thomasville.
Nicholson Funerals & Cremations, Thomasville Chapel has the honor of serving the family.