James Farrell Whalen's Obituary
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 talents—a 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 Jim’s doctors and nurses over the years, and especially the staff of Crossroads Hospice.A Rosary will be held at 10:00 a.m. and a Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 28 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.The family requests memorial donations be sent to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or Southwind Animal Hospital.His services have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.”Mr. Whalen’s service information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
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