James Arthur “Jim” White, 75, quietly bid the world goodnight near the end of the longest day of 2024 at Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek in West Liberty, Ohio. Born on October 19, 1948, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Jim graduated from Woodstock Academy in Connecticut, and studied math, philosophy, and computer science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Jim was a multidisciplinary craftsman who spent the first chapter of his career in Massachusetts. He created reproductions of 1830s pottery in the historical Hervey Brooks shop at Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum, and opened his own pottery shop, CraftWorks, with stained glass artist Tod Beall. He restored 18th and 19th century buildings with Alvin R. Hill and worked as a restoration carpenter at Old Sturbridge Village. He served as a computer technician with TurnKey Solutions and enjoyed his involvement in the Fiskdale Arts and Recreation Trust Society.
Jim met Margaret Piatt in 1975, and their long friendship became a partnership when they married in 1996. He was a loving man full of joy in the life he shared with Margaret and his stepdaughter, Kate. His peaceful presence, gentle kindness, reliable strength, deep intellect, and sense of humor were appreciated by all who knew him.
Equally enchanted by ancient fossils and new gadgets, Jim read endless science fiction, and he stood in awe of the machinations of the universe, such as the total solar eclipse that he relished the chance to photograph. A friend to animals of all stripes, Jim found companionship in beloved pet dogs and was most at home in nature, where deer and birds seemed to pose for his camera.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Paul Arthur and Anne White and his stepmother Helen White. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Piatt; his stepdaughter, Kate Piatt- Eckert (Tony St. Clair); his sister, Caryn Anne Stone; his niece, Lesley Stone (Ed Furman); his nephew, Caleb (Rebecca) Williams Stone; his grand-nieces and nephews, Eamonn, Ruairi, Mackie, Ash, and Pippa; and his stepsisters, Pam (Larry) Rorick and Lori (John) Dahl.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on October 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek located at 10051 Township Road 47, West Liberty, Ohio. Jim loved the beauty of the natural world, and the family hopes that you will join them in remembering him by enjoying nature.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Piatt Castle (P.O. Box 497, West Liberty, OH 43357), the house museum where Jim lived and worked for over two decades restoring woodwork, building exhibit cases, planting trees, running internet cables through limestone, and trying to convince all manner of wildlife that it would be nicer if they lived in the woods rather than behind the walls.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, West Liberty, is honored to serve the White & Piatt family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
