Mr. James Whitcomb, Jr.
Passed 10/09/2022
On September 7, 1944, in Kansas City, Kansas, James and Lillian Whitcomb welcomed James Lloyd Whitcomb, Jr., who was the first born of their eight children. He excelled at playing football and was a nineteen sixty-two graduate of Sumner High School. James continued his education at Parsons’ Community College on an athletic scholarship. Later, at Kansas State College, Emporia, Kansas, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in elementary education. James was blessed with the gift of music, teaching himself to play the electric guitar, organ and drums. His melodious voice, which he inherited from his father, provided him many opportunities to help fund his educational expenses. While in college, he and a group of friends founded the “Elegants”, and they performed on weekends at local venues on and off campus. Around this time, he pledged the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a faithful member of his fraternity until his health failed. Following graduation, James was recruited by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football team. His brief athletic career ended due to an injury.
At the University of Southern California, James continued his education and earned a master’s degree in Public Administration. This led him to a lengthy and rewarding career with the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Once again, James excelled. While serving in positions in Kansas City, Houston, Texas, Greensboro, North Carolina and Spartanburg, South Carolina, he received sixteen (16) Outstanding Performance Awards.
James loved to travel and visited many places in the United States. His love for Christ motivated him to participate in a multiple-week missionary journey to Africa.
On Sunday, October 9, 2022, as James (Sonny) slept peacefully, his spirit was released back into the arms of his Heavenly Father. While he will be eternally missed on this side of heaven, we rest assured and are encouraged that he is safe in the master’s arms. James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lillian Whitcomb and two brothers; Jerry and Charles Michael Whitcomb.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Frances Whitcomb; one brother, Frederick Whitcomb (LaWanna); four sisters, Dr. Monetta Foster, Janice Russell, Stella Ling and Toni McClaine; children, Stancia Whitcomb Jenkins (Andre), Raymond Mintz, Rodney Mintz, Cheryl Cheston (Reginald), Chandra Williams (Mark), Donna Jones, Arleatha Wheeler (Jerome) and Tasha Madkins; grandchildren, McCarty, Dietrich, Jonathan, Phillip, Ryan, Kayla, Reginald II, Rah, Alvarez, Asia, Shane, Melody, Dominic and Madison; seven great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be Live Stream, go to perryjbrownfuneralhome.com.