Jim Whitworth was a native to St. Louis, served his country in the Navy during WWII, married his wife Lorraine and has 3 children (Michael, Patricia, and Kevin), 9 grand children and 3 Great Grand children.

He became interested in Hockey from his Father in Law who played Roller Hockey in the 1920's 30's in St. Louis for the Union Station Red Caps at the old Palladium. Jim started attending ice Hockey games in the early 60's when the St. Louis Braves came to town. Along with his wife and kids, Jim would attend the Braves games at the Arena and became friends with many of the Braves that lived in an apartment complex in Maplewood down the street from his home. In 1967, when the Blues arrived, Jim became a season ticket holder with 5 seats for the whole family.

Jim and his oldest son, Michael participated in senior men's hockey with the likes of Bill McKenna, Eddie Olson; both from the HOF Class of 2008; Walter Sharpe and many others back in the 60's. His youngest son, Kevin started to play at Winterland at that time. Jim coached his youth Winterland teams and All-Star Teams that traveled across the Midwest. As his son Kevin grew, Jim went on to coach the Bishop Dubourg High School Team in the early 70's. In the 60's, Jim was involved as a Board of Directors in the Winterland Hockey Association where he started his coaching and refereeing career. He also was the Executive Secretary for Missouri Amateur Hockey Association and involved in the Official's Association.

Jim was a co-founder of the Olson-Whitworth Instructional League with his friend, Eddie Olson at the Winterland Ice Rink. You will find that many of today's coaches began their skating background at the Olson Whitworth Instructional League. Jim was instrumental in convincing Mayor Cervantes on January 19, 1968 to proclaim Jan, 20-28 as Youth Hockey Week in St. Louis.

Jim had the opportunity to coach a team that traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden in 1982. That was the last time he stood behind a hockey bench.

Throughout all the time he dedicated to ice hockey, he still found time to be active with his sons in scouting, little league baseball and coached his daughter's Fast Pitch Softball teams. But his love was hockey. If Jim was around today, you would find him at the local rinks watching his grandson, Jimmy, play for the Rockets and probably telling his son Kevin how to coach. Jim spent countless hours, like other Hall of Fame Inductees and volunteers before him, donating his time to give local kids the chance to play the great game of ice hockey.

On behalf of the Whitworth family, we want to extend our great appreciation for the hard work and dedication of all the people that have carried on the tradition of youth hockey here in Missouri and want to thank the members of the Hall of Fame Committee for their outstanding leadership in keeping the memories of the birth of St. Louis Youth Hockey alive and skating.