James Hubert Whitaker, 86, passed away at home on Jan. 25, 2012, after a lengthy illness.
He was born prematurely on Sept. 3, 1924, to the late Earl and Vaud Whitaker in Hope, N.M., and wasn't expected to survive the night. But he proved to be a fighter and beat all the odds with the help of his paternal grandmother who wouldn't give up and spent many nights keeping him alive while his mother recuperated from his birth.
In 1925, persuaded by a longtime family friend, the Whitaker family relocated to Moorpark with dreams of continuing business in the mercantile and cattle ranching field. They have called Moorpark home ever since. James graduated from Moorpark High School during WWII, and unable to join the military due to vision problems, continued working at the family hardware business. This was his only impairment due to his premature birth, which eventually led to complete blindness around 1960. However, this never stopped him from doing anything else and he led an extraordinary, fulfilling life.
In 1954, he met the love of his life and wife of 44 years, the late Sylvia Whitaker (Everett). James owned and operated the family hardware business as a third generation member. On a daily basis, customers were amazed with his ability to locate items just by his sense of touch. He was past president of the Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, and the Moorpark Area Representative for the Salvation Army and other community organizations.
His strong determination to survive was once again proven during his last days on earth. Although his valiant fight came to an end, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on. He will be dearly missed.
James is survived by his two sons, Dale (Martha) and Will (Tina), and grandchildren, Robin, Hope, and William IV.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30, at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery located at 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Junior Blind of America or the Salvation Army.
He was born prematurely on Sept. 3, 1924, to the late Earl and Vaud Whitaker in Hope, N.M., and wasn't expected to survive the night. But he proved to be a fighter and beat all the odds with the help of his paternal grandmother who wouldn't give up and spent many nights keeping him alive while his mother recuperated from his birth.
In 1925, persuaded by a longtime family friend, the Whitaker family relocated to Moorpark with dreams of continuing business in the mercantile and cattle ranching field. They have called Moorpark home ever since. James graduated from Moorpark High School during WWII, and unable to join the military due to vision problems, continued working at the family hardware business. This was his only impairment due to his premature birth, which eventually led to complete blindness around 1960. However, this never stopped him from doing anything else and he led an extraordinary, fulfilling life.
In 1954, he met the love of his life and wife of 44 years, the late Sylvia Whitaker (Everett). James owned and operated the family hardware business as a third generation member. On a daily basis, customers were amazed with his ability to locate items just by his sense of touch. He was past president of the Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, and the Moorpark Area Representative for the Salvation Army and other community organizations.
His strong determination to survive was once again proven during his last days on earth. Although his valiant fight came to an end, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on. He will be dearly missed.
James is survived by his two sons, Dale (Martha) and Will (Tina), and grandchildren, Robin, Hope, and William IV.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30, at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery located at 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Junior Blind of America or the Salvation Army.
James Hubert Whitaker, 86, passed away at home on Jan. 25, 2012, after a lengthy illness.
He was born prematurely on Sept. 3, 1924, to the late Earl and Vaud Whitaker in Hope, N.M., and wasn't expected to survive the night. But he proved to be a fighter and beat all the odds with the help of his paternal grandmother who wouldn't give up and spent many nights keeping him alive while his mother recuperated from his birth.
In 1925, persuaded by a longtime family friend, the Whitaker family relocated to Moorpark with dreams of continuing business in the mercantile and cattle ranching field. They have called Moorpark home ever since. James graduated from Moorpark High School during WWII, and unable to join the military due to vision problems, continued working at the family hardware business. This was his only impairment due to his premature birth, which eventually led to complete blindness around 1960. However, this never stopped him from doing anything else and he led an extraordinary, fulfilling life.
In 1954, he met the love of his life and wife of 44 years, the late Sylvia Whitaker (Everett). James owned and operated the family hardware business as a third generation member. On a daily basis, customers were amazed with his ability to locate items just by his sense of touch. He was past president of the Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, and the Moorpark Area Representative for the Salvation Army and other community organizations.
His strong determination to survive was once again proven during his last days on earth. Although his valiant fight came to an end, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on. He will be dearly missed.
James is survived by his two sons, Dale (Martha) and Will (Tina), and grandchildren, Robin, Hope, and William IV.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30, at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery located at 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Junior Blind of America or the Salvation Army.
He was born prematurely on Sept. 3, 1924, to the late Earl and Vaud Whitaker in Hope, N.M., and wasn't expected to survive the night. But he proved to be a fighter and beat all the odds with the help of his paternal grandmother who wouldn't give up and spent many nights keeping him alive while his mother recuperated from his birth.
In 1925, persuaded by a longtime family friend, the Whitaker family relocated to Moorpark with dreams of continuing business in the mercantile and cattle ranching field. They have called Moorpark home ever since. James graduated from Moorpark High School during WWII, and unable to join the military due to vision problems, continued working at the family hardware business. This was his only impairment due to his premature birth, which eventually led to complete blindness around 1960. However, this never stopped him from doing anything else and he led an extraordinary, fulfilling life.
In 1954, he met the love of his life and wife of 44 years, the late Sylvia Whitaker (Everett). James owned and operated the family hardware business as a third generation member. On a daily basis, customers were amazed with his ability to locate items just by his sense of touch. He was past president of the Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, and the Moorpark Area Representative for the Salvation Army and other community organizations.
His strong determination to survive was once again proven during his last days on earth. Although his valiant fight came to an end, his spirit and legacy will continue to live on. He will be dearly missed.
James is survived by his two sons, Dale (Martha) and Will (Tina), and grandchildren, Robin, Hope, and William IV.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 30, at the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery located at 22601 Lassen Street, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Junior Blind of America or the Salvation Army.
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