We have lost two of our local surveyors and friends in the past month. Jim was a very nice man that I wish I would have known better.
Obituary for James Farrell Whalen
James Farrell Whalen, Sr., 83, passed away December 23, 2016. He was born August 14, 1933 in Memphis, TN to Martha Lucille Strickland and John Robert Whalen, Jr.
He attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School and graduated from Christian Brothers High School. Jim attended Georgia Tech before joining U.S. Army, where he served in the Korean War. He later served in the U.S. Air Force serving with the 164th Air National Guard Wing as a Load Master and flew numerous missions in Vietnam.
Jim was the owner/operator of Whalen Surveying. He has served as president of the parish council of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, president of the Engineers Club of Memphis, scout master for Troop 364 at Balmoral Baptist Church, and chairman of logistics for Memphis in May for over 20 years. Jim was a man of many talentsÛÓa true renaissance man. He greatly enjoyed duck hunting and also fishing and deer hunting. His favorite place to vacation and visit was Duck, North Carolina and run the beaches with his grand-labs, Susie and Jenny.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynda Harrison Whalen; children, Patricia Lee Whalen Allen (Bill), Martha Anne Whalen, James F. Whalen, II (Parrish), and Lisa Lyn Whalen Mills (Michael); grandchildren Bryan, Katlyn, Megan, Stacey, Tiffany, Nickole, Elijah, Sarah Elisabeth, and Anna-Farrell; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, John Robert Whalen, III (Sherry) and George Paul Whalen (Pat); and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Martha Whalen.
In addition, the family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to JimÛªs doctors and nurses over the years, and especially the staff of Crossroads Hospice.
