Harlow Sheldon White

October 26, 1931. He was welcomed by brothers Eldon, Stanley and Clifford, later sister

Marlene and brother, James into the tightknit religious family. Harlow spent his childhood

moving around western Oregon including Sheridan, Pleasant Hill and finally Detroit, Oregon

where Harlow graduated and called home.

Harlow was a quiet reflective child who loved to read, play with his siblings and ride his

scooter. At 4 years old his parents realized he was wakeful at night, usually due to having

an arthritic condition that caused excruciating pain in his joints. Harlow endured this and

much more while keeping a gentle, loving nature especially towards animals. His pets

throughout his life ranged from bumble bees, chickens, cows, a salamander, cats, and

dogs. Harlow always had an affinity towards nature and animals, which he passed on to

his daughter. However, he did some things just to see what would happen; from pepper

sprinkled on the stove to the cow brought to the 2nd story of the school, for Harlow, life was

an adventure.

Harlow grew tall and gangly, becoming involved in sports, he loved to dance and sing

having natural rhythm and a smooth baritone voice. At 16, he worked at a logging camp,

then after graduating he applied to Western Electric where he worked about 5 years. He

enjoyed the work, but then he entered the Air Force during the Korean War. He was

stationed in Japan working special communications with Security Agencies. After his

service, he worked for The Oregonian for a couple years, then a chance meeting brought

him back to Western Electric. He met his first wife, Joanne, and they had a son, Charles

and a daughter, Allison. Right before Allison’s 1st birthday, Harlow was diagnosed with

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and told after his surgery he only had 6 months to live.

Harlow defied the odds, after returning to work he was sent to school for specialized

computer systems being 1 of only 6 qualified. Hal stayed until retiring in 1986, then started

his own phone installation business which he worked into his 80’s. He divorced in 1974,

then in 1977, Harlow married Charlene Bell Cooper, they enjoyed travelling when he

worked out of state. Together, they were active in their church, and they helped launch the

local Christian broadcast network, Hal behind the camera keeping the technical part

running. They spent many years making trips and Harlow cared for her during the last years

of her life before she passed in 2008. He had wonderful relationships with her daughters

Sandra Cooper and Peggy Cooper, along with Peggy’s son John and his wife Beka. His life

was filled with working on John’s horse ranch, Halibut fishing with Allison in Alaska, and

spending time with his granddaughter Nicole’s family, husband Mike and their daughters,

Harlow and Lettie. His son Charles helped to care for Charlene then Harlow, before

passing in 2023.

He enjoyed being active all his life and took great joy in everything he did. Harlow put his

trust and faith in God, did his best to care for his family and will be missed by all who knew

him. Harlow’s memorial service is at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom,

1350 Commercial St. SE Salem, OR 97302 on Sunday, June 1st, 2025 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to an organization that encompasses the mercy

and compassion of the teaching of Jesus Christ.

Please join us online at 2:00pm PST to view the service at the following link:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25056222406650