John Ronald White

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 9, 1952, John was a man who lived life with quiet strength, unwavering integrity, and a heart always ready to lend a helping hand to others. The first in his family to earn a college degree, John received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Louisville—an accomplishment he held with deep pride.

John served his country with honor in both the United States Air Force and the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring with the rank of Captain (O-3). He was especially proud of his time in the Combat Air Force, and he often shared stories of his service with a gleam in his eye and a deep sense of patriotism.

After his military career, John worked as a skilled mechanic and later retired from the U.S. Postal Service. A man who could build, fix, or create just about anything with his hands, John added an extension to his home himself and was always the first to volunteer to help others, often without needing thanks.

John had a profound love for history and trivia. He could recite historical facts and dates with extraordinary accuracy and rarely lost a trivia game. Whether it was a Civil War battle or a line from a classic movie, he had it tucked away in memory, ready to share over dinner or on a quiet afternoon.

A longtime resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, John was a faithful attendee of New Hope Baptist Church and an active member of the Freemasons, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion Post 1. Wherever he went, people knew him for his patience, his kindness, and his natural ability to talk to anyone—family joked he could have a full conversation with a brick wall.

John loved westerns and James Bond films, and no cheeseburger was ever safe in his presence. Though he often claimed he wasn’t a dog person, he somehow always found himself petting every dog he met.

He is survived by his loving wife, Song Mee White; his daughter, Misty Renee White; his sons, John David (JD) White and Michael Anthony White; and his grandchildren: Eric Harris, Nicole Gomez, John William White, Roman Marshall White, and Cameron White. His legacy also lives on in the countless lives he touched through his warmth, generosity, and steadfast character.

A funeral service honoring John’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605. A private burial service for family and close friends will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to your local veterans’ organization, or the family.

John believed that “education is something no one can take away from you, but they also can’t make you use it.” His wisdom, humor, boundless curiosity, and helping spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered.