O. Z. White

Dr. O Z White, professor emeritus, department of sociology and anthropology, Trinity University, died on April 11, 2013 at 85 years of age. Charismatic, caring, and controversial, O Z White was a living campus legend during his Trinity career.

He is predeceased by his parents, O Z White Sr. and Mary Bigby White, his sister Alice White, and by Thomas A. White (1953-1982), son of O Z and Anselyn Putnam White. He is survived by wife Sharon Dix White.

A native of Danville, Virginia, O Z was a member of the U.S. Maritime Service during World War II, making a number of transatlantic crossings to convey supplies to allied forces.

He earned the A. B. and M.A. degrees (1954, 1961) at Furman University in Greenville, SC, the M.Div. degree (1957) at the Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC, and the Ph.D. degree (1964) at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He was an instructor at Georgia State College (1963-1964) and an assistant professor and chaplain at Erskine Theological Seminary (1957-1961) before coming to Trinity University in 1964 as professor and chair of the department of sociology and anthropology. He retired in 1992 as professor emeritus.

White served as a consultant to the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Rio Grande Council as well as San Antonio Fighting Back.

For many years he was a volunteer counselor at Christian Assistance Ministries and San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries. He engaged Trinity University students to combine theoretical learning with hands-on experience in a variety of urban environments.

As founding faculty sponsor of Chi Delta Tau, White guided the fraternity into social service projects and stimulated the formation of wider student body participation in volunteer activities. White also opposed discrimination due to gender or sexual orientation and was a faculty advocate for the rights of gay-lesbian groups to organize on campus. Since his home was close to campus, he had a special relationship with many employees in Facilities Services.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 24, 2013

3:00 PM

TRINITY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

MARGARITE B. PARKER CHAPEL

1 TRINITY PLACE

The Rev. R. Douglas Brackenridge and the Rev. Bill Davis will officiate. A reception will follow.

Limited parking is available on campus, but overflow parking is available at Alamo Stadium and University Presbyterian Church at Bushnell and Shook.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Chi Delta Tau Foundation, O Z White Scholarship, P.O. Box 131984, Houston, TX 77219-1984.