Alfred Asbury White Jr.

Alfred (Al) Asbury White Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee age 81 died December 17, 2022 with his family comforting him at U.T. Medical Center after a heart attack that came as he neared the end of chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Al was born May 14, 1941 in Dyersburg, Tennessee where he spent most of his years before attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to major in English (BA 1961). Drafted after graduation, he opted for the Air Force and rose to the rank of Captain before being discharged after returning from Vietnam. He returned to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to study Electrical Engineering. Al received his BSEE in 1973 and almost immediately was hired by the Tennessee Valley Authority. In 1982 he became a registered professional engineer. Engineering may have been his vocation, but it was not in his top three things he enjoyed most. These were, in order: books, cats, and guitars. He was an avid and voracious reader (sometimes in French or Spanish), with a preference for history or literature (he once said,"I can't imagine a day without reading something meaningful."). He was well versed in WW II, the Civil War, political movements, and a wide range of literary subjects, all while frequently having a cat perched on his shoulder or lap. Al's interest were many and varied: playing flamenco guitar with an instrument he had built for him in Madrid, Spain; practicing Karate (3rd degree black belt); or traveling (the Pyramids, the Acropolis, London, Paris, Rome, Madrid)-always looking for places of historical relevance. He was cognizant always of issues dealing with Equality or Tolerance. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Sr. and Emma Bishop White, both of Dyersburg, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, confidant, friend, and companion of 45 years, Ann Royster White; his daughter, Stacie Briton White Myers (David) and grandson, Bronson Myers of Columbia, South Carolina; sisters, Patsy Ellis of Knoxville and Nancy Jamison of Adamsville, Tennessee; 4 nephews; and his cat "buds" Babette and Figgy Pudding. Al chose to be cremated and have his ashes spread on his family farm in Dyersburg. Donations to Young Williams Animal Village, 6400 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919 would be greatly appreciated. Better still, if able, adopt a shelter animal and give it a loving home. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com