James Marshall Leaver died Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, at the age of 85.
Jim was born on October 8, 1939, in Yuma, Arizona, to James and Eleanor Leaver. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, California; Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California; and Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The day after graduating from Marquette, he married Rose Mary Gittens; they were together for more than 60 years.
Jim and Rose Mary moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Jim completed his master’s degree in literature at the University of Arizona, and then to Whitewater, where for 37 years, Jim taught English at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He also completed his PhD in literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He retired from teaching in 2000.
Jim grew up speaking both English and Spanish and later in life learned to speak and read Russian and some Italian and Portuguese. He led several student tours to Russia, and he often used his translation skills to assist others.
After his retirement, Jim wanted to pursue three diverse interests: he wanted to be a ventriloquist, a tap dancer, and a painter. He succeeded in two of the three, by taking tap classes and performing in recitals and by teaching himself to paint. He started by copying the works of famous artists, including Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and Winslow Homer. Later he moved on to painting original landscapes and portraits, including many of his grandchildren.
Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he played the conga drums at mass and served as the unofficial sexton of Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater for many years. He served two terms on the Whitewater City Council.
Family and friends will remember Jim for his sense of humor, love of music, intellect, compassion, and willingness to help his neighbors.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Gary Leaver, Rosemary Zumsteg, and Lorene Leaver. He is survived by his wife Rose Mary, sisters Jennifer Saver and Ann Leaver, sister-in-law Joan Gittens, daughters Sarah Day and Liz Cowperthwaite (John), son James Leaver, and grandchildren Lily, Hugh, and Noah Day; Sol Burgos; and Veronica Leaver.
All are invited to attend a celebration of Jim’s life and a display of a selection of his artwork, to be held August 16, 2025, from 3 to 5 PM at the White Memorial Building (Whitewater Arts Alliance) at 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Family members will present a brief program beginning at 3:30 PM.
