James Wheeler White, M.D.

James W. (Jim) White, physician and surgeon, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025 in Conroe, Texas at the age of 92. Jim was born in Seminole, Oklahoma on February 13, 1933 to James Sterling White and Greta Wheeler White.

Jim grew up in Oklahoma attending school in New Lima and Wewoka. He received his B.A. Degree from Baylor University. Upon graduation, Jim reported to his draft from the U.S. Army and served in the Medical Corp as a Surgical Tech while stationed in Germany. This is where Jim's desire to become a doctor and surgeon started. After his Honorary Discharge, Jim went on to complete his Pre Med requirements from Central State College of Oklahoma and his Medical Degree from University of Tennessee, College of Medicine, as well as advanced medical certifications for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in additional residences, including a Fellowship for training under Dr. Denton Cooley in the Houston Medical Center.

Jim practiced medicine and surgery in California; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; and Texas where he served in Conroe at the old Montgomery County Hospital on First Street, was Chief of Surgery at the previous Doctor's Hospital on Highway 105, as well as on the staff at the then newer Conroe Regional Medical Center Hospital on Loop 336 South.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alice Phillips White, his daughter, A. Whitney White Gregory and her husband Thomas; son, Todd Sterling White and his wife Dina; grandchildren, Brittney Gregory Dafcik and husband Michael, Todd Edward Gregory and wife Laura, John Michael White, Christian Hunter Sterling White, and Kenneth Charles Franklin; great-granddaughter, Kora Ryn Dafcik; as well as sons Jim "inherited" when he married Alice, Wyatt Dean Phillips and wife Robin, Zachary Brant Phillips and wife Sandra; granddaughters, Zola Rose Phillips and Josephine Jayne Phillips. Jim is also survived by his first wife and mother of his children, Phyllis Merritt White.

Jim was predeceased by both of his parents; his daughter, Kaye Courtney White Hilton; his sisters, Elizabeth Sterline White McCoy and Patricia Lee White Quillen, as well as his previous wife, Kathleen Coombs White.

Jim loved his Lord and worshipped Him in the church he attended wherever he lived and served Him in every aspect of his life and work. He taught adult Sunday School classes for many years, and still would participate in the choir, and frequently in men's quartets. Having taught himself to play the piano, guitar, ukulele as well as the harmonica, he used them in these activities. He played with the Happy Strings band at First Baptist Church in Conroe for 23 years.

Jim participated in the Gideons International wherever he lived over a period of 56 years. He served as the President of the Conroe, TX Camp. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, as well as Aircraft owners and Pilots Association. Being civic minded, Jim also served as President of his local homeowners association in Lake Bonanza.

The memorial service honoring Jim will be held at First Baptist Conroe, 600 N. Main St, Conroe, TX 77301, at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 11, 2025. Visitation will be in the entrance atrium of the church at 10:00 AM. There will be a livestream of the service at the link: fbcconroe.org/livestream. Jim's ashes will be placed in the columbarium niche at the Houston National Cemetery, Friday, October 10, 2025, privately with the family.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the medical staff of Kelsey Seybold who served Jim so well and to the Heart to Heart Hospice staff and especially Pax at Tuscany House for their loving care. And a special thanks to the Friendship Class of FBC for all their love and outpouring of any and all assistance!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation to:
Gideons International at: www.gideons.org/donate
or the local Gideons Camp at: The Gideons International Conroe Gideon Camp, P.O. Box 3522, Conroe, TX 77305
OR
Mission Fund at First Baptist Church, 600 N. Main St, Conroe, TX 77301.