James M. Whitmore, 89, died Friday, January 23, 2009. He was born August 29, 1919 in Derry, New Hampshire to the late Charles and Mary Louise Whitmore. As a teen during the Depression Mr. Whitmore had several jobs including a two year stint with a traveling carnival and later served three years with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), working on such projects as the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
At age 21 he began a 20-year career in the United States Army, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He was a United States military advisor to Taiwan during their conflict with Mainland China in the 50s, retiring in 1960 as a CWO-4.
Mr. Whitmore worked in insurance claims for a quarter of a century, retiring as a Senior Claims Manager for GEICO at their Washington, DC headquarters. Included in his many honors and awards were posts as president of American Legion Post 204 and the Hampton Roads Claim Manager’s Association in Norfolk, Virginia. He was also named Claim Man of the Year by the Claim Manager’s Association.
He was an active member of Roswell Presbyterian Church in Roswell at his death.
He is survived by two sons, George A. Cooke of Atlanta and Stephen D. Cooke of Buckhead, a daughter, Eve Lorraine Tapia of Lexington, Kentucky; a niece Cassandra Cummings of Bristol, Vermont and a nephew Robert Graham of Milton, New Hampshire.
Funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 27 at Roswell Funeral Home in Roswell. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of www.alz.org in honor of Ruth P. Whitmore.

Published in the January 29, 2009 edition.