Entire Service:

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Eulogy only:

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James Otto Whitler, Jr.

September 7, 1931 – July 7, 2014

SHREVEPORT, LA – A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel. The service will be officiated by Carl Rhoads, Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Shreveport. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park. The family will be receiving friends Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel.

Jim passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 7, 2014. Jim was born September 7, 1931 in Girard, IL to James Otto Whitler and Mae Arnold Whitler. Jim graduated from Girard High School in 1949. He lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball and was named honorary captain of the football team his senior year. He attended Centenary College on a basketball scholarship and he also played baseball and was on the track and field team. After four years in college, Jim enlisted in the Army in 1954 and served in post war Korea. Jim returned to Centenary and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He received a Master of Education Degree in 1962 from NSU and also completed thirty hours above a Master’s Degree. Jim taught physical education and coached at Broadmoor for one year and at Youree Drive from its opening in 1959, until his retirement in June of 1988. He has been a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Shreveport, LA since 9/11/1960.

Preceding Jim in death are his parents and brothers, Arnold Whitler, Elmer Whitler and Earl Dean Whitler. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Betty McKay Whitler; sons Ron Whitler and wife Celia of Franklin, TN, and Mike Whitler and wife Renee of Shreveport, LA; one sister, Norma Whitler Lloyd and husband Dean of Girard, IL. He is also survived by his grandsons, Max and Zach Whitler of Franklin TN, step-granddaughter Lindsay Langford and husband Scott of Indianapolis, IN and step-grandson, Taylor Gosslee of Houston, TX; great grandsons, Lucas and Cooper Langford of Indianapolis, IN and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Honoring Jim as pallbearers will be Taylor Gosslee, Creighton Light, Bob Lloyd, Wayne Smith, Ron Viskozki and Douglas Yoder.