Lifelong Forks resident James Elmer Whitehead passed away at his home from cancer and age-related issues on February 27, 2022. He was 89 years old.

Jim was born on Jan. 7, 1933, to Ellsworth Burdett Whitehead and Ethel Virginia (Fraker) Whitehead at the family home in Forks, WA. He graduated from Quillayute High School – Forks in 1951. Jim married Catherine Ann Martin on September 4, 1953, at the family home on Fuhrman Road. Jim was a cook in the US Navy from 1952-1955 aboard the U.S.S. Randle.

Jim was a workaholic and worked as a meat cutter for Pay and Save, drove log truck for Spoelstra Bros., and owned his own truck as an owner/operator. He also owned Mobile Service and Whitehead’s Auto Parts. After he retired from the store, he drove truck for Pete Wilder and Garth Leavitt.

Jim was a generous person and loved to cut firewood with Chuck Archer. They were known as Woodchuck and Termite.

Jim is survived by sons Victor, Don (Judi), Marty (Taunya); daughter Nancy Moore; brother Ellsworth/Shorty (Twinkle); sisters Susie Henson (Ben), and Shirley Sharpes. He is also survived by grandchildren Marni and Jon, Paul (Stephanie) and Tim, Maggie, Brady, and Jacey, David and Lisa, Connie, Tanya, Amanda, and Ethan and several great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his spouse Catherine, daughter Elizabeth (Betty) Binschus, and sisters Marvel and Jackie.

There are no plans for services at this time.