Father Jim White’s simple life kept Lord at its center

by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father James Joseph White, SJ, didn’t own a television or a computer.

He led a quiet life in rural Kansas City, Kansas, where he gardened and raised chickens in his spare time.

For the past 30 years, Father Jim spent countless hours ministering to priests, celebrating Masses and offering sacramental assistance at parishes around the archdiocese.

“He loved the Lord,” said Father John Riley, chancellor and vicar general for the archdiocese and Father Jim’s neighbor. “He loved the church. He loved the priesthood.”

Father Jim passed away on Feb. 12 at the age of 87.

“Jimmy touched a lot of people very, very deeply,” said Marshall Benedict, one of his nephews.

“He was not a superficial person,” he added. “He didn’t bother with nonessentials. He was appreciative of so many things.”

He was born on Dec. 24, 1937, the youngest of seven children of Agnes (Triska) and John White.

He grew up on a farm northwest of St. Marys, and his family belonged to Immaculate Conception there, which was a Jesuit parish at the time.

He attended Wamego High School and graduated from Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University) in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

He was drafted and served in the Army before working for one year as a grade school teacher.

He ultimately followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Father Robert (Bob), SJ, becoming a Jesuit novice on Sept. 1, 1962. He was ordained a priest on June 3, 1971, at the Cathedral of St. Louis, and professed final vows on June 6, 1981, at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri.

“His parents, especially his mom, were so proud of having two sons that were Jesuits,” said Benedict. “She was really hoping that Bob was going to be a Jesuit priest, and she was just incredibly grateful that had happened.

“Jimmy was a bonus.”

Father Jim was part of the Jesuit community that serves both Rockhurst schools. He taught art and English at the high school from 1972-1989.

In 1995, he was hired by Archbishop James P. Keleher as minister to priests in the archdiocese. He held that position until 2010.

But Father Jim spent much of his time providing sacramental assistance at parishes where he was needed, even into his retirement years.

And with a little help from some friends, “Father Egg White,” as he was affectionately known, frequently shared the fruits of his labor by selling his chickens’ eggs at parishes around the archdiocese.

His regular rounds included Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park and St. Francis de Sales in Lansing.

He received help from a range of local Catholics, including members of the Knights of Columbus from Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood.

Aimee Barnes was one local parishioner eager to offer her assistance.

“I ran into him,” she recalled, “and said, ‘Father Jim, I’d love to go to your farm and help you gather eggs.’

“And he chuckled, and he said, ‘That’s the easy part!’”

Father Jim typically had around 225 chickens at a time, who he spent much of his retirement caring for.

He was also passionate about antiques and pottery.

“He surrounded his home with many, many mementos,” said Benedict. “His mind, I’m sure, was full of memories of both recent and far past.”

Jack Carson, a parishioner at Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, described the priest’s unique home.

“The farmhouse, garage and mudroom were crowded with eggs, egg cartons, miscellaneous tools and items that Father Jim was recycling,” said Carson.

“He was not one to waste most anything,” he added.

Father Riley was impressed with his neighbor’s low-tech lifestyle.

“He wrote out his homily notes on the back of a recycled envelope,” said Father Riley. “Nothing was thrown away. Everything was recycled.”

Benedict believes Father Jim’s life was a testament to his upbringing on a farm in the heart of the country.

“Jimmy grew up in the lap of this history and the pride in America — the pride of Kansas and all of the United States being a proving ground for people with drive and ambition,” said Benedict.

“He loved where he was living,” he added. “He didn’t want to get away from rural Kansas. It was his home.”

Barnes, whose request to help Father Jim around the farm was gladly accepted, ended up working there regularly. She described her friend as “an old farm boy at heart.”

“He was not only full of knowledge, but he was walking history,” she said. “He had so many stories to share.”

Father Jim’s energy and zeal for a simple, spiritual life were clear to those who knew him.

“He’s gone to his forever home,” said Barnes. “And I know he was welcomed with open arms by Jesus. He was welcomed by the saints.

“He is one of them.”

Father Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother John and four sisters — Patricia Massieon, Jacquie Kelly, Mary Ellen Benedict and Honor White Lew. He is survived by his brother Father Robert and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will take place on Feb. 22 at Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. followed by a rosary at 10:15 and a funeral Mass at 10:30. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Marys.

Memorial gifts are suggested to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus: 4511 W. Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108, or online at: jesuitscentralsouthern.org.