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James Ray Whitfield, 90 of Saxton, PA passed away on October 8, 2025 surrounded by his wife and family. He was born on December 21, 1934, the son of Amos R. and Beatrice (Moffat) Whitfield in Huntingdon, PA. He married Phyllis E. Palmer on December 26, 1954. He is survived by his three children, Mark A. (Eddie Hay) Whitfield, Cindy R. (Craig) Segasser and Susan B (Jerry) Park, along with 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Mr. Whitfield was a 1952 graduate of the Saxton Liberty High School. He obtained a BS in education from Shippensburg State Teachers College in 1956 and an MS in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1966. He taught in Lebanon County School District (Myerstown) from 1956 – 1960 and Tussey Mountain School District (Saxton) 1960 – 1992. He retired in 1992
He was an active member in the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader most of his life. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his service from Penns Woods Council in 1997. He made several excursions to the Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimerron NM as an adult leader.
Mr. Whitfield was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Saxton serving as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and other positions. He was a business manager for the Agape Singers and Players, a youth group that performed in Central Pennsylvania in the 1970s.
Visitation will be at Trinity United Church of Christ, 1001 Church Street, Saxton PA from 12 noon to 2pm on October 11, 2025. A Celebration of Life service will be at 2pm following the visitation with Pastor Cliff Hammond officiating. A graveside service to immediately follow at the Grandview Cemetery in Saxton.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Trinity United Church of Christ, 1001 Church St., Saxton, PA 16678 or the Saxton Community Library, 315 Front Street, Saxton, PA 16678 in memory of James Whitfield.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralchapel.com
Arrangements by Akers Funeral Chapel, 715 Church Street, Saxton, PA 16678.
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