James "Jim" M. Whitworth

James “Jim” M. Whitworth passed away peacefully at Summa Akron City Hospice after a brief illness on May 10th, 2022 with his granddaughter and daughter by his side.

James, known to all as “Jim”, 95, was born on March 12th, 1927 in Wichita Falls, TX to James M. Whitworth M.D. Captain and Pansy Pauline Whitworth [Cozby]. Due to his father’s medical military service, Jim moved across the US from the pacific coast, southwest, southeast, and midwest.

He never truly felt home until he met his future wife, Betty, who he was married to for 63 years until her passing. After graduating from Hammel Business College, he was hired at Polsky’s where he met Betty and subsequently married her in 1951. He received his BS in accounting from Kent State University in 1953.

After being hired at B. F. Goodrich, he was assigned to a task group to study the feasibility of utilizing a Univac I computer. Jim spent the rest of his career in the computer field, first working for Burroughs (prev. Electra Data) in Cleveland, OH. He enjoyed managing programmers and computer centers for various manufacturing companies, and data processing consulting. He spent his last 19 working years as Executive Vice President and COO of Bancamation, a bank service bureau located in Wayne County.

After retiring in July of 1991, Jim and Betty bought a cottage in Lakeside OH, a Methodist Chautauqua Community. This was their principal residence for the next 15 years. One of the real joys for Jim were having his family at Lakeside and seeing his grandchildren grow to love their time there.

Preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Whitworth he is survived by daughter, Elizabeth "Liz" Arnold; son-in-law, Charles J. Arnold; and two grandchildren, Brian Arnold and Lorin Bales. With close ties to Judy Allen, Dawn Dilorenzo, Carolyn Eckert, Libby Rozier Beauchamp, and the Chester family.

The family will receive friends and family will celebrate Jim's life at The First United Methodist Church of Akron, 11:00am, Friday, May 13th, 2022 with Rev. Howard Pippin officiating. A calling time will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at Chestnut Hill Memorial Park immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim's name may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 263 E. Mill St., Akron OH 44308.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.