James Seymour “Jim” Whitfield, 90, of Warrensburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg with The Rev. Todd Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville with full military honors by the Warrensburg American Legion Post 131, Mike’s National Guard Team, and the Patriot Guard Riders. Pallbearers will be Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity brothers. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg with the Phi Sigma Kappa funeral ritual at 8:00 p.m.

He was born on Jan. 12, 1926 in Warrensburg, the son of William Henry “Dub” and Mary Virginia (Asbury) Whitfield.

On Jan. 3, 1957, he and Ruby Virginia Raker were united in marriage in Warrensburg. She preceded him in death on March 12, 1999.

On July 19, 2003, he and Kathryn Henry were married in Louisiana, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2013.

Whitfield was a life member of The American Legion in Warrensburg. He served The American Legion Boys State of Missouri in several capacities since 1953. He was Secretary-Treasurer from 1953 to 1955. He served on the site committee which made the decision to move Boys State to the campus of CMSU (UCM) in 1953. In recognition of his lifetime of untiring service, in 2000 Whitfield was given the title “Honorary Lifetime Commander” of the Missouri Department of the American Legion. This honor had been given to only three other men, including former U.S. President Harry S. Truman.

Whitfield’s service to the Missouri Boys State program is unsurpassed. Whitfield served as a City Counselor from 1956 to 1959 and was named Dean of Counselors in 1959. Under his direction, the staff of Missouri Boys State took a pro-active approach to teaching the principles of democracy to the young men who participated in the Boys State program. As Dean, Whitfield wrote the first counselors handbook. The original form of that handbook is still in use today. Whitfield voluntarily retired from his position as Dean of Counselors in 1970. Along with Charles Hamilton, Whitfield was instrumental in creating the intricate structure of the program that has evolved into one of the finest programs of its kind. In his over four decades of service to the program, Whitfield has been at the center of every major decision affecting the program. He has been instrumental in helping the program grow into a youth leadership program of national prominence.

Whitfield was given the distinction of having a Boys State City named in his honor, becoming the first Boys State leader outside of the four founders to be given that honor. In 2001, the Missouri Boys State Board of Directors and Executive Committee voted in favor of renaming Smith City to Whitfield City. He was inducted into the Missouri Boys State Hall of Fame in 1988.

Whitfield was named one of the original trustees of the A.B. Weyer Memorial Trust. The Weyer Trust was created to ensure the future financial stability of The American Legion Boys State of Missouri, Inc. In 1989, he was named Chairman of the trust succeeding Charles L. Bacon who died suddenly while still serving his term. Whitfield has been active in veteran’s affairs since his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in January of 1947. He is a graduate of Central Missouri State University where he was Student Body President. In his senior year he received the George Charno Citizenship Award. Whitfield is still serving as a life member of the Executive Committee of the American Legion Boys State of Missouri Board of Directors.

Jim was a Life Member of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars in the United States, and BPO Elks, all of Warrensburg, Missouri. He is an Honorably Discharged U.S. Navy veteran of World War II having served in the Far Pacific, North Atlantic, and Indian oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea, aboard the same ship for 33 months. He was an active member of The American Legion since 1946, and honored for his 70 years as a member, having served in many capacities including Executive Director, American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN.
Whitfield held a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri with Post Graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of Colorado and in Finance from Iowa University. He received the George Charno Student Citizenship/Leadership Award his senior year at UCM where he also served as Veterans Affairs Coordinator for the University with the VA, as well as President of the Student Body. He started the Warrensburg Jaycees and was its first president.
Whitfield served as the first chairman for a period of 4 years of the Missouri Veterans Commission and served a total of 10 years on the Commission. During his tenure as Chairman the Missouri State Veterans Home system of seven homes and the State Veterans Cemetery system were established. Following his employment at The American Legion National Headquarters he was Administrative Manager and Convention Director for the North American Equipment Dealers Association with offices in St. Louis County, Missouri.

He was appointed to the Commission by the American Legion.

Jim served as the western area coordinator for the Missouri Military Funeral Honors Program of the Missouri National Guard until his death. He was an avid season ticket holder for the Missouri Mavericks hockey team and a big Cardinals fan.

Jim is survived by his sister, Shirly Brockman, of Warrensburg; two nephews, Scott Dunham and wife, Carol, of Warrensburg, and Wayne Raker and wife, Kathy, of Valrico, Florida; three nieces, Ann Shideler and husband, John, of Wheatland, Kit Raker Gudde and husband, Lynn, of Chilhowee, and Clayton Raker Hasser, of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Wilma Flawsburg and friend, Al Stewart, of Independence; and good friend, Brenda Brown, of Lee’s Summit.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation, the American Legion Missouri Boys State Memorial Trust, or the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Assistance League and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.