Rufus H. White

It is with deep sadness that the family of Rufus H. White announce the passing on February 5, 2026. Rufus H. White, 81, of San Jose, CA by way of Washington DC was born July 18, 1944, in Tuskegee, Al., the son of a Tuskegee Airman, John D. White, Sr. and a Selma University Graduate alongside his mother Margaret R. White. While growing up in Washington, D.C. he was an honor student, Eagle scout, active in community and church service and played on two city Championship Football Teams.

Rufus is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. While at IBM he held technical and managerial positions in system development, product management, process control and engineering system management. As the Sr. Consultant, on business process and control systems, Rufus provided technical and business process consulting and service to both IBM and their customers.

Rufus was recognized and rewarded for innovation and excellence in system development methodologies and software verification techniques. In 1991 Rufus was recognized by IBM, with the International Association of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) and the American Association of artificial Intelligence, (AAAI). In 1994 the NSBE and the Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineer (NCCBPE) honored Rufus with their Trailblazers award.

Rufus Chaired IBM's Black Employee of San Jose Diversity Networking Group and Co-Chaired IBM’s local national Engineers Week activities. He also represented IBM on the Board and operating committee for the East Side Union High School Districts Electronics Academy.

After retiring from IBM, Rufus continued to be an advocate for the youth in Silicon Valley by volunteering on numerous projects. Among these are:

- East Side Electronics Academy Operating Committee, summer Programs, Guest Speaker, and Mentoring

- President Emeritus of the Evergreen Valley H.S (EVHS African American Parents Coalition

- Coordinator & Grant writer for National Black Family Technology Awareness Event, February 2004 & 2005 (With IBM & ESUHSD as partners)

- ESUHSD Family Empowerment Conference Planner and Workshop leader Fall 2004 through 2007

- Curriculum Director and Mentor - Oriki Theaters' Rites of Passage Program 2004-09

- Santa Clara Co. Alliance of Black Educators (SCABE) President’s Award

- Member of the S/V Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet

- Creator and Publisher of " Save The Children" - AA youth support information network

- Initiated, planned, and gained grant funding to deploy a SAT test improvement program partnering with

Forestville HS, and Economic Development and Training Institute (EDTI) in Prince George Co, Md,

- Recipient of the 2008 Eta Rho Omega/Alpha Kappa Alpha Service to Youth Award

- Board member, Consultant, and instructor at the East Valley YMCA, Silicon Valley

Rufus is a founding Board member and Director of Outreach for Silicon Valley Future Stars; it is an after school

Academic and Technology Program. He is also a Founding Board member of the Silicon Valley Africa Trade Expo.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother John D. White, Jr. (Sonny). Rufus is survived by his wife Clara L. White; son, Anthony K. White; and sister Margaret D. White (Duzzy).

At the family’s request there will be no service at this time, Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park is honored to serve the family of Rufus H. White.

In lieu of flowers we encourage you to honor Rufus’s legacy of commitment to the children and community by making a donation to the East Valley YMCA by visiting their website (ymcasv.org) or using the link below