Obituary: James Franklin McWhorter

James Franklin McWhorter 87, died at home in Clermont, Florida, Oct. 11 from CMML/MDS cancer.

He was born May 21, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Robert S. and Edith McWhorter (DeBussey). He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Shirley McWhorter (Wilson); his parents; brother, Ed McWhorter; and son, Brad McWhorter.

He is survived by his daughter, Leann Blackman (Jim); grandson, Nick Townsend; granddaughter, Shelby McWhorter; and great-grandson Owen; brothers, Bob McWhorter and Stan McWhorter; granddog, Bud; several nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.

Jim graduated in 1953 from Muskegon Sr. High School, Muskegon, Michigan.

He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from Jan. 7, 1954, to Oct. 31, 1955. Using his V.A. benefits, Jim graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Hospitality Management.

His career in Michigan country club management included Spring Lake, Midland and Plum Hollow Country Clubs, and food and beverage manager of DuPont Country Club in Delaware.

In 1968, Jim moved the family to Winter Garden, Florida. He was a hotel manager, restaurant owner and real estate broker. He had a successful career with Golden Corral Corp. and retired as V.P. of Contracts, Construction & Real Estate Development. He loved cooking, golf, fishing, NASCAR and traveling.

There are not enough words or time to describe what Jim McWhorter meant to so many people and the number of things he accomplished during his lifetime. He will be sorely missed and thought of every day.