James Floyd White
January 23, 1932 - October 31, 2004
January 23, 1932 - October 31, 2004
Jim White died Sunday, 31 October 2004 at about 7:45 p.m. The family were with him at the very moment, and were able to say the Proficiscere over him. They knew of the prayers surrounding and supporting them. Jim was a Past President of NAAL and was awarded the Berakah.
University of Notre Dame Professor emeritus of Theology (Liturgical Studies), James F. White, 72, beloved husband of Claire Duggan White, and father of Lou, Robert, Ellen, Laura and Martin, died on Sunday, Oct. 31, after suffering with cardiac disease and debilitating cancer. The eldest son of Madeline Rinker and Edwin T. White, Jim was born in Boston, Mass., Jan. 23, 1932. Raised in Rutland, Vt., with his two brothers, Stephen and Tony, Jim was a 1949 graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and a 1953 graduate of Harvard University. He undertook seminary studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York, and was ordained deacon and elder in the United Methodist Church. A Fulbright Scholarship took Jim to Cambridge, UK, and in 1960 he completed a doctoral degree in Church History at Duke University. Dr. White's academic career, spanning more than four decades, began at Ohio Wesleyan University and continued at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He was Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame from 1983 until his retirement in December 1999. A frequent visiting professor, Dr. White also taught at Drew University, Emory University, Yale University and The Catholic University of America.
Member of nine learned societies, Professor White is perhaps best known for his dedication to the revitalization of the worship life of the church. Member, and past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy, he was also the recipient of the prestigious Berakah award presented by that group in 1983. Author of 20 books, Professor White wrote extensively on worship, sacraments, and liturgical architecture. His extremely valuable, Introduction to Christian Worship , has been translated into several Asian languages. Hundreds of scholarly and pastoral articles have contributed much to the revitalization of contemporary worship.
No ivory-tower academic, he dedicated himself tirelessly to the tasks of renewal of worship in the United Methodist Church. Affectionately known as "Mr. Protestant Worship" in the Academy of Liturgy, Jim's thorough study of the rites of specific Protestant denominations (as well as of liturgical renewal in the Roman Catholic Church) made a significant impact on the study of worship undertaken in ecumenical dialogue. Professor White's legacy also continues through the 30-plus doctoral students, whose dissertations he directed. It is not insignificant that the 1982 Christian Century poll voted Dr. White as one of the hundred most influential figures in the US "religion scene." Nor is it insignificant that Jim died on Oct. 31, the Eve of All Hallows and also Reformation Sunday. Requiescat in pace . A memorial service took place at Broadway Christian Parish at 10 a.m. , Nov 3, with visitation one hour prior to service in the church. Memorial donations may be made to Broadway Christian Parish, 1412 S. Carroll St., South Bend, IN 46613.
Tribute prepared by the North American Academy of Liturgy.