TUCSON, Ariz. – James I. Whitten, beloved husband, uncle, and friend, passed away at his home in Tucson, Ariz., on June 26, 2025.

Born in Augusta, on Sept. 8, 1949, he was preceded in death by his loving parents, Florence Whitten and Wilfred Whitten, and by his brother, Will Whitten.

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda Hodgson Whitten, whom he married in 2020 at the age of 71. It was his first marriage, and as he often said with a smile, “was worth the wait.” He also leaves behind his great-niece, Barbara Whitten, and her partner, Darren Lymburner, his great-nephew, James Whitten, and his wife, Katie; and his adored great-great-nephews, Oliver and Cooper.

Jim proudly graduated from Cony High School in 1967 and joked that he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. In a twist of poetic irony and classic Jim humor, he later became one of the first tenants when the school was converted into senior housing. As he liked to say, “I started my adult life at Cony, and somehow ended up right back there… just with better furniture and earlier bedtimes.”

A gifted chef, Jim’s career spanned restaurants in Augusta and Portland; San Diego, Calif.; Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and Caneel Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. One of his proudest accomplishments was opening his own restaurant, Choices, in Manchester. He took great pride in his craft and loved sharing his cooking with family and friends.

At 55, following the passing of his niece, Suzanne Whitten, Jim embraced the role of guardian to her children, Barbara and James—a responsibility he took on with steady love and a deep sense of purpose. Raising them changed his life, and he’d tell anyone who asked. He said more than once that helping raise them was the best thing he ever did. In his words, watching them grow into thoughtful, accomplished adults was one of the greatest joys and blessings of his life.

Though always proud of his Maine roots, Jim wholeheartedly embraced life in Tucson, Ariz., where he became a devoted University of Arizona fan. A season ticket holder for both football and basketball, he rarely missed a game and relished cheering on the Wildcats.

He was also unbeatable at Jeopardy!, watching nightly and calling out the answers with lightning speed. No one in the room ever stood a chance.

Jim faced serious illness with the same spirit he brought to the rest of his life: quiet strength, sharp wit, and deep resilience. He beat cancer multiple times and never lost his sense of humor or his connection to the people around him. He loved life and met challenges head-on.

Jim built friendships the way he lived: with honesty, kindness, consistency, and no pretense. One of the relationships that meant the most to him was the lifelong bond he shared with his cousin, Lee Pooler. Together, they spent many summers on Great Pond in Belgrade—a place that held some of Jim’s fondest memories. In accordance with his wishes, Jim’s ashes will be scattered on Great Pond.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Jim’s life will be held Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m., at the Weathervane Restaurant and Lounge, 1030 Main St., in Readfield. All who knew and loved Jim are warmly invited to attend.

To help with planning, please text your RSVP by July 5 to Linda Whitten at 520-549-8613.