Dr. Charles Edward White

Native Memphian, Musician, Marine, Scholar, Surgeon, Naval Officer, Loving Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather and Generous Friend

Charles Edward White, M.D., died suddenly after a short illness on October 22nd, 2013. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marge Thrasher White, and his parents, Cleo and Marvin White of Memphis. He is survived by his sister, Jane (Don) Eisaman of Huntersville, NC. He leaves a large family, including his daughter, Heather Krupp of Atlanta, GA and sons, David (Melba) White of South Fulton, TN and Knox (Laurel) White of Los Angeles, CA. He also has four stepchildren, Houston (Ann-Marie) Thrasher of McLean, VA; Barton (Cristy) Thrasher of LaGrange, TN; Melissa (Michael) Peeler of Memphis, TN and Julie (James) Isaacs of Richmond, VA. He was affectionately known as Grandaddy and Chi Chi by his thirteen grandchildren: Kathryn and Alexander Krupp; Megan and Rachel White; Sawyer White; Eli and Ben Thrasher; Adi, Bo and Sarah Thrasher; Mary, Anna, and Margie Peeler.

Charlie’s mother created a strong love of music and he learned piano at an early age. He started playing saxophone in jazz bands and at 15 was playing in clubs with Charley Jones and His Skyliners. He continued a long history of playing and enjoying jazz for decades. He was a founding member of the Memphis Doctors Dance Band and an active member for well over 40 years.

Dr. White attended Messick and East High Schools. He was a graduate of Memphis State University and the University Of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery training at Methodist Hospital and his plastic surgery training at the University of Mississippi. He was board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He was an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery and Chairman of the Section of Plastic Surgery at the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His professional memberships included American Medical Association, Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation, Tennessee Medical Association, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons where he was also a Trustee and member of the Ethics Committee. He was a founding principle of The Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Memphis.

Dr. White was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Phi Chi Medical Fraternities. He was a patron of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Orpheum Memphis and past president of the Memphis Wine and Food Society. He was a member of the University Club of Memphis.

Charlie served as a Sargent in the U.S. Marine Corps before college where he also played in the Marine Corps Band. He retired as Captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Naval Reserves and was called to active duty during Desert Storm.

The family would like to especially acknowledge the superior caregiving and friendship of Cathy Fason and Mark Finney.

There will be a service to celebrate Charlie’s life at Kingsway Christian Church in Germantown on Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive guests from 1:00 to 2:00 at the church before the service. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorial gifts be instead sent to The MED Trauma Center Foundation or the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.