James “Jim” “Jimmy” Wharry

James “Jim” “Jimmy” Wharry, age 83, of Delaware City, DE, and formerly of Newark, DE, passed away on Monday, May 12, 2025, at his home. Jim was born in Wilmington, DE, to the late Anna (Trivits) and John Wharry. He graduated from Newark High School and Goldey-Beacom College.

Jim worked for Farmer’s Bank for 6 years and North American Smelting Company where he ended as personnel manager. After North American closed (20 years), he then became a temporary employee on long assignment with DuPont Co. and oversaw pre-employment testing. Jim then moved on to a permanent employee in the message center then to travel reimbursement, helping to develop the XMS travel helpline. He was with DuPont Co. for 20 years until his job was outsourced in 2004. Jim was interested in folk art painting and helped at Painter’s Paradise for 6 years and was a member of Brandywine Decorative Painters. He then became a member of HSBC Bank tax helpline, then obtained a position with U.S. Census.

Jim was a member of the Safety Engineers Club of Delaware. He also served for 25 years as a secretary for Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Co. He was also secretary of the New Castle County Firefighters Association, the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, and financial secretary and assistant chaplain of Cumberland Valley Firefighter’s Association. Jim served in the Delaware National Guard.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Suzan (Wharry) Whiteman; and nephew, David Whiteman. He is survived by his wife, Diane (Layton) Wharry; daughter, Leanna Wharry; nephews, Michael Whiteman (Emily) and Daniel Whiteman (Gina); adopted nephew, Robby Sweetman (Tracy); great-nephews, Christopher, Taylor, Sawyer, Alek, Jaden, and Kyle; great-nieces, Olivia, Charlotte, Katlynn, and Kortney.

The family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice for all the care and love shown to Jim in his last months of their service and cousin Vicki and neighbor Kim.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Co. St. 8, 410 Ogletown Road, Newark, DE 19711, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Hickory Grove Cemetery, 428 Port Penn Road, Middletown, DE 19709.

Any family members or friends who are unable to attend the service for Jim, may live stream the service by clicking here.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Co., P.O. Box 148, Newark, DE 19715-0148 or online by clicking here; or to Newark Baptist Church at Fairhill, P.O. Box 5839, Newark, DE 19714-5839 or online by clicking here.