James Witherspoon

With family members at his side, Jim passed away on Monday, September 17, 2001 at La Verendrye Health Care Centre. Born April 16, 1916 in Burriss, Ontario.
Jim is survived by his wife Lois, three sons, Dennis of Kenora, Glenn (Judy) and Gordon (Nancy) of Fort Frances. Grandchildren, Kelly Witherspoon, Tracey (Will) Mayo; Jeff, Stacey (John) Cann, Jennifer Witherspoon; Scott, Bryce and Brant Witherspoon. Great-grandchildren, McKinley, Elan, Alex, Jacob, Eric and Joshua.
Also surviving are his brother Bill, of Emo, and his sister Marion Alexander of Fort Frances, as well as many nieces and nephews who were very proud of their uncle.
Also surviving are his step-daughters, Patricia (Allan) Andrusco of Winnipeg, Carol Dunne of Kakabeka Falls and Jill (Harvey) Flamand of Fort Frances, and their families.
Jim was predeceased by his first wife of 51 years, Nora, on September 26, 1988, by his parents James and Christina and sisters, Christina Steele and Elizabeth McKay.
Jim’s life began on the family homestead in Burriss, Ontario. He attended school there, and worked in the farm in his growing up years. In his early 20’s, Jim bought his first truck and hauled gravel and pulpwood for many years. He was the first trucker in the district to go outside of the norm and buy a truck made by White Motor Company. In the mid 1950’s, Jim purchased the gas station that still services the public, Witherspoon’s One Stop.
Jim was very active in sports, playing baseball for many years for the communities of Burriss and Devlin. Jim was part of the ownership that started the Fort Frances Junior Royals hockey team in 1958, and operated the club until the early 1970’s. Some of his best moments were seeing his former players doing well and coming back to see him. Jim sponsored the Witherspoon Whips ball teams, both mens’ and womens’ teams. He was very proud of his girls’ team that he coached and managed for many years.
Jim retired from the gas station when he was 65 years old, and started a new career in clearing land to build a driving range. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, holding many levels of office, as well as a life membership. For many years he was in charge of the Humanitarian Services for the Lodge, taking care of and distributing health care equipment throughout the district.
In 1988, Jim received a Gold Medal for the Certificate of Merit from the federal government in recognition of his contribution to the community.
In his later years, Jim enjoyed his winters in Yuma, AZ, until illness prevented him from travelling there.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 21, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, 340 Church Street, Fort Frances, Ontario. Reverend Jill Warner will officiate with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, Ontario.
Visitation will take place prior to the service on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
Pallbearers will be some of his former Royal Hockey players; Dale Cooper, Neil Kabel, Tom Reid, Mario Venerus, Paul Clarke and Sam Easton.
Honourary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as his Arizona friends, Bill Shine, Maurice LaForest, Frank Dumeney, special longtime friend Roy Burrell and in absentia, Howard Chamberlain.
In memoriam donations can be made to the Knox United Church (lift), 340 Church Street, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 1E1, the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada (Ontario Chapter), 1730 McPherson Court, Unit 30, Pickering Ontario, L1W 3E6, or the Alzheimer’s Society, 180 Park Avenue, Suite 310, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6J4.