Raymond M. White

Raymond M. White of Austin, TX passed away on November 29th, 2013. He was born on May 12, 1949 in Houston to Gordon and Lena "Buster" White. Ray graduated from Steven F. Austin University with a degree in Economics.

Ray was retired from University of Texas at Austin's Accounting Department. For the past nine years, he has worked in bookkeeping. Most recently, he has been an invaluable asset at Eriksen Marine. Through his work, he has made many friends and acquaintances. Maintaining the books at Eriksen required numerous trips to different banks and Texas Parks and Wildlife. His smile seemed to always brighten the day of the people he would see regularly in these places.

Ray became a Mason in 1980 with the Brookshire Lodge No. 1066. Over the next 33 years, he advanced through the degrees of various Masonic branches and held the following titles: Past Master of three different lodges, Past Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Chapter and Council, Past Commander of the Knights Templar Colorado Commandery No.4. For the last 10 years Ray has been the Drill Team Captain for the Commandery. Ray also held many other leadership roles. His guidance and support affected the lives of many new Masons. He was well respected and beloved by his Masonic brothers. He especially loved when his family would attend Masonic functions with him like the Christmas Dinner or the Annual Fish Fry. He always said Masonry would take a good man and make him better. We believe he wanted to be a better man not only for himself, but for the family he loved.

One of the most important accomplishments in his life was raising three daughters. Although the youngest, Theresa, was the only one from his current marriage, he happily jumped into fatherhood when he married Debbie and set up a home with her two daughters Cathy and Michelle. He was always kind and doting. He attended every orchestra concert, choir concert, basketball game, and school meeting no matter how boring or painful they might be. If you've ever heard fifth graders try to play musical instruments, you will know what a feat of patience that is. Requests for ice cream late at night were never denied, even if he had to make a special trip to the grocery store. He was a willing Dad always going the extra mile. His tenderness and care can be seen in his many actions and in the many pictures of him playing with Theresa as a toddler. He also enjoyed spending time with his siblings and their families every year at Easter and at other family affairs. His older brother Jim was his favorite person to talk and joke with. They shared a sense of humor that can neither be replicated or replaced. He also enjoyed catching up with his sisters.

In his early life, Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. In more recent years, his interests shifted to golfing and boating. He spoke fondly of a trip he took to Georgia with his late best friend Jim Munro; they golfed at various courses from Texas to Georgia. He enjoyed spending time having a few beers with friends on his sail boat docked on Lake Travis. His family enjoyed surprising him with picnic meal on the boat for special occasions.

Ray was survived by his wife Debbie; three daughters, Cathy, Michelle, and Theresa; his brother Jim White and companion Blanche Pape; sister Kay Allman and husband John; sister Janet Crow and husband Richard; sister Nancy Ward and husband Al, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Gordon White and Buster Homburg, and his best friend Jim Munro.

Visitation is at 12:00 pm and a Masonic funeral service to follow at 1:00 pm on Saturday December 7th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, in Lakeway, Tx.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to Knights Templar Eye Foundation c/o Colorado Commandery No. 4 PO Box 563 Austin, Texas 78767