Malcom Edwin White Jr.

Malcom Edwin White Jr., born on March 23. 1921, in Paris, TX. He moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, attended Little Rock Central HS, and then some college classes at Penn College. In about 1941, he met his future bride, Clara Frances (Sissie), while attending a tent revival with Rev. Rex Lumbard. He met Sissie through her younger sister Nan, who happened to be dating Malcom’s younger brother Marcus. The dating soon led to marriage, perhaps hastened by the United States joining in the World War II war campaign. Pastor Sister Diffee, First Church of the Nazarene in Little Rock, AK, married them, and later Carolyn was born, followed by son Edwin. Both siblings were dedicated to that church. They lived a wonderful life together for 63 years until her death in August 2004, mostly living in Dallas after short periods in Seattle and again in Little Rock.

He was inducted in July 1943 and immediately went into various schooling programs where he tested and was selected from a large class of military privates to serve as a tail gunner instructor flying many practice bombing raids over the Grand Canyon in the famous B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-24 Liberator. While serving in the US Army Air Corps, they moved a lot as was typical, which led to short times in Flagstaff, Arizona, Harlingen, Texas, and Cleveland, Ohio. After honorable discharge from the Army in February 1946, the family moved to Seattle, Washington, and then settled in Dallas, Texas, for civilian life.

His career started with Mobil Oil Corporation in the geophysical lab, where he met his lifelong friend and business partner, Stan Bennett. Together, they partnered to start the company Micro Instrument Corporation. In the early years of the company, their work products were mainly for the oil industry (Mobil) and the US Government. Their work for the government was considered very classified.

He enjoyed many wonderful years with his ever-growing and expanding family. His life was filled with family and church activities, most of those years at Dallas Central Church. He truly loved and cherished his time being immersed in family life. He especially loved his five granddaughters. He loved all outdoor activities, being a proficient snow skier and water skier, and loved cycling, roller skating at all church parties, and fly fishing in the Rockies and the rivers of northern Arkansas.

He is survived by his daughter Carolyn and husband Ronnie, son Malcom Edwin III and wife Sarah, five granddaughters, Jenny Jenkins-Dill and husband Wayne, Sherry Yablon and husband Adam, Mellony Wheatley and husband Kyle, Charissa McLain and husband JP, Alicia Gelnett and husband Marc, and many great grandchildren, Matt Jenkins-Dill and wife Amanda, Jonathan Jenkins-Dill and wife Melissa, Mckenna Yablon Philip and husband Tim, Caitlyn Yablon, Tyler Wheatley and wife Shelby, and Andrew Wheatley, Merit McLain, Bailey McLain, Banks McLain, Luke Gelnett, Lacey Gelnett and Ryan Gelnett.

In his later years, all the whole family provided great love and support, including very frequent visits, bringing many dinners, and sharing all the traditional holidays together. Even in his last year of life, he loved going out with the granddaughters to the Dallas Arboretum, Braum’s, and going for one of his favorites, the McDonald’s quarter-pounder meal, fries, and a chocolate malt.

One can say that his life was characterized by serving the Lord and his Savior, giving his entire family love and support, and tirelessly serving in numerous capacities in the church, including Sunday School Superintendent for 40 years, and regularly providing landscaping work.

In addition, if you or someone you know wishes to send a floral condolence to the White family in his honor, you may choose InBloom Flowers at 972-256-6637 or visit their website at www.inbloomsympathyflowers.com