Genuine, resilient, trustworthy, charismatic, clever, witty, caring, loyal, giving, and supportive are just some of the vast positive characteristics which capture the essence of our beloved Vernon Lee White. Born on May 19, 1969 in Los Angeles, California to parents Vernon and Doris White, Vernon grew up among his loving family and friends in the close-knit Mid City community. During Vernon’s formative years, the seed of authenticity was planted. Along his journey in life, he always exhibited a true reflection of himself. To those around him, he was known as the real deal, a man of his word with a warm, magnetic larger than life personality.
Vernon was a proud graduate of Alexander Hamilton High School where one of his extracurricular activities included playing in the position as strong safety on his varsity football team. He also had a passion for writing and freestyling rap lyrics as a member of a Hip Hop crew during his high school days and early twenties. He went on to pursue and earn a certificate in Network Technology. During Vernon’s professional career his acquired skills and knowledge in the computer technology field served him well as he provided various companies with support in IT, hardware, and training in software services. He would often go out of his way to help others in need both professionally and personally.
As a devoted husband and father, Vernon truly exemplified throughout the years what it meant to be fully present. Vernon loved his family with all his heart, and he always placed them first and foremost in his life. For him, family meant everything. Whether it was coaching his son’s YMCA youth basketball team, attending his daughter’s high school theater arts performances, or sharing numerous movie date nights with his wife, he was known to be completely engaged in the activity. Vernon ensured that his family always felt supported, protected, and enveloped in love.
Vernon’s all-time favorite sports team was Dem Boyz, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys football team. Of course, as a native Angeleno, he was also a true Lakers fan, especially during the Magic Johnson “Show time” and Kobe Bryant “Black Mamba” eras. Later in his adult life, he turned his attention to the SEC and became a loyal Georgia Bulldogs football fan. He would often wear his sports gear with pride representing his teams seasonally as well as year-round.
Vernon was well versed in politics and encouraged healthy debates. He also had a passion for listening to an eclectic music genre ranging from old school Hip Hop, 1970’s R&B, alternative heavy metal, to songs by Freddie Mercury such as “Bohemian Rhapsody”. His pastime included collecting and reading Marvel and DC comics, video gaming, watching action and sci fi movies, WWE, period piece TV series and documentaries.
Although our beloved Vernon, our hero, departed this life and was called home to God on December 27, 2022, the lesson he taught us all, by his own example, to never give up and keep fighting for another day will forever live on in our hearts, minds and spirit.
Vernon will be remembered and honored with love by his wife Shannon White; his children, Devon White and Atiyyah Thompson; son-in-law, Keith Thompson; mother-in-law, Freddia Sillemon; best friend and brother of over 40 years, Kevin Marshall and wife Katoiya Marshall; brother-in-law, Gerard Sillemon; and a host of other relatives, close friends and co-workers.
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