Jim Whitfield is a life member of the American Legion
in Warrensburg. He has 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 in 1953.
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.
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.
