James Lee Whitman

James Lee Whitman of Winter Haven passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013 from respiratory failure. He was 79. A native of Winter Haven, born September 1, 1934 to Deley and Isabel Poole Whitman, James has lived here his entire life. A Master Carpenter for local Union Hall 140, he worked for Leonard Construction. James also served in the US Navy during the Korean War; was a 32nd. Degree Mason and member of the Winter Haven Masonic Lodge #186 F&AM; the Egypt Temple Shrine, the Scottish Rite; the Winter Haven Moose Lodge, the American Legion Post #8; lifetime member of the D.A.V., and he was a member of the Gant Lake Baptist Church in Webster, Florida. James was preceded in death by his first wife Barbara Whitman. He is survived by his wife Michelle Whitman of Winter Haven, 2 sons: Timothy James Whitman of Brooksville, FL, Terry Lee Whitman of Lake Wales, FL; his 2 brothers: John Wesley Whitman of Winter Haven, Jerry E. Whitman of Oklahoma; his 2 sisters: Joyce Shirah of Auburndale, FL and Joetta May of Dundee, FL. James also leaves behind his grandsons: Jeremy and Jamey, and Granddaughter Jennifer Lemay, and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday, December 27, 2013 from 12 to 2:00 PM at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM from the funeral home chapel. Interment will be at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Humane Society of Polk County. Condolences to the family can be sent to: www.oakridgefuneralcare.com. Special thanks to Dr. Pablo Lam & the nursing staff of 7 East at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. The care and compassion they extended to Jim and his family over the last 8 months will never be forgotten.