Reverend James Frank Whertley passed away September 23, 2017 in Fresno, CA. Reverend Whertley pastored the Full Gospel Church of Las Lomas from 1953 until his retirement in 2010.
James was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 10, 1923 to George Washington Whertley and Mary Ann Whertley. At an early age his parents divorced and Mary Ann married James Hardy Smith. His step-father was a Navy Commander and encouraged James to enlist in the U.S. Navy. On January 20, 1941 James enlisted and was trained to become a radioman and a gunner. June 6, 1944 found James in a Patrol Craft off the Omaha Beach in Normandy France. Their orders were to fire on the German bunkers while the U.S. and allied forces landed.
James Whertley and Pauline Ray were married in Philadelphia, PA on November 19, 1943, just before his deployment over seas. Pauline was the love of his life and faithfully participated in his ministry until her death in November 2011.
After his discharge in 1946 James and Pauline moved back to Long Beach, CA where he worked and started his preparation for the ministry. James felt the call of the ministry at an early age. While in the Navy he led worship service aboard ship and in Long Beach he was a Children’s Church Pastor. When he received information of a small country church in an area called Las Lomas he was quick to answer the invitation to come and speak. He was voted in as Pastor of the Full Gospel Church of Las Lomas in 1953. He and Pauline along with their two children, Diane and Steve, made Las Lomas their home. In 1959 a third child, Trudy, was added to the Whertley Family.
During the first few years the little church could not support the Whertley family, so James supplemented the family’s income by working on the Johnson Ranch. As the church grew and could better support the family of five James began to do other activities that gave back to the community. He joined the Civil Air Patrol as a chaplain, volunteered to coach sports at Monte Vista Christian School and faithfully participated in City Prayer Gathering at the Watsonville Plaza. He also served as a local Presbyter for the Assembly of God Organization.
Pastor Whertley is survived by his brother, James Hardy Smith, Jr. and his wife Sharon; his daughter Diane Walker and her husband Noel; his son Stephen Whertley and his wife Cynthia; his daughter Trudy Rowe and her husband Kenneth Baker; his grandsons Rodney Walker and Gregory Walker and his wife Gina; Aaron Whertley and his wife Kari; granddaughter Rachel Eckstrom and her husband David. He also has several great-grandchildren.
After a private family graveside service, a memorial service will be held at the Full Gospel Church of Las Lomas, 29 Willow Road, Royal Oaks, CA on Saturday, September 30, at 11:30a.m. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
