Vern Arthur White

Vern Arthur White was born April 4, 1974, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, to John and Roberta (Kennedy) White. He was warmly welcomed into a lively family and quickly became the beloved and often spoiled younger brother to five sisters: Nena, Alisa, Lisa, Lita, and Katrina. In 1977, the family moved to Gering, Nebraska, where Vern spent most of his life.

Vern’s love for music began at a very young age. At just four years old, he started his musical journey under the guidance of Shirley Green. His natural talent quickly became evident as he learned to play and master multiple instruments, including the piano, guitar, drums, violin, trombone, and saxophone. By junior high, his musical ability had already gained attention, and after a standout saxophone performance, the local newspaper nicknamed him “Dynamite White.”

Family was always an important part of Vern’s life. He cherished the time spent with his many nieces and nephews, often traveling together in the family motorhome across several states, creating memories and laughter along the way. He also enjoyed sports, spending time playing baseball and softball, where teammates affectionately called him “Verno.” Whether on the field or off, Vern was known as the life of the party and someone who could always bring laughter to those around him. He even tried his hand at riding and fighting bulls. Vern later worked for BNSF, where he continued to build friendships and connections..

At the age of 12, Vern landed his first job playing piano on weekends at the Scottsbluff Inn in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. During this time, he had the memorable opportunity to meet Johnny Cash. That early experience helped launch a lifelong musical career. Over the years, Vern accompanied several college show choirs and played keyboard with various area bands. He also spent time in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he enjoyed playing piano at Wilderness Ridge.

Eventually, Vern returned to Gering and opened Uncle Vern’s Piano Club, where he shared his passion for music with others. Known affectionately to so many simply as “Uncle Vern,” he became a mentor and friend to countless students over the years—at one point teaching as many as 67 at a time. His students and their families gathered for piano recitals at the Steel Grill, where Vern also entertained weekend audiences with his well-known “Willy Stroker Show.” Vern’s humor and personality were part of every performance. Occasionally he would start singing a song that prompted him to jokingly ask his mom to “step into the office,” a moment that always brought smiles to the staff and loyal fans who came to watch him perform.

In recent years, Vern found a new creative outlet designing and producing custom sports cards. His work became especially popular within the UFS “Power Slap” community, where he became known as “The Card Man” and sometimes “The Nebraska Assassin.” He was especially excited for the large card show in Las Vegas where he planned to sell his custom cards before the Power Slap event, something he had been looking forward to with great anticipation.

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Vern was traveling to Las Vegas for an upcoming Power Slap event. He was excited to be the corner man in the light heavyweight competition. Tragically, Vern was involved in a one-vehicle rollover accident and did not survive.

Vern leaves to mourn his passing his mother, Roberta Kennedy White of Gering, NE; his sisters, Alisa Gunther of Gering, NE and her children Kari Richardson of Lincoln, NE, Sara (Brent) Hinkley of Highland, Utah, and Steven (Rebecca) Gunther of Bakersfield, CA; Lisa (Troy) Weborg of Bridgeport, NE and their children Justin (Tiffany) Portenier of Palmyra, NE, Jared (Cristina Castañeda) Portenier of Gering, NE, and Kendra (Jason) Rohr of Dodge City, KS, Paige Weborg of Scottsbluff, NE; brother-in-law William Howard Hardison Jr. of Chesapeake, VA and his and late wife Nena’s children William Howard Hardison III and Katrina Hardison of Chesapeake, VA; his late sister Lita’s children Kara Jo (Jordan) Berger, Fort Collins, CO, Aaron (Samantha) Misner of Gering, NE, Kayla (Cody) Barge, of Gering NE, and Andrew (Heather) Delcamp of Spanish Fork, UT; Aunt Wanda Rodenbaugh of Minneapolis, KS; Uncle LaDon Lappin of Logan, KS.

He is also survived by Helen Bauer Scottsbluff, NE; Corey (Stacy) Linnett of Graham, WA, along with a host of great-nephews and great-nieces, numerous cousins, close friends and his graduating class of 1992.

Vern was preceded in death by his father, John White; his sisters, Nena Hardison, Lita Delcamp and Katrina White; and his grandparents, Samuel Arthur and Mildred Alice White; Vern Kennedy, Sylvia (Kennedy) and Ivan Breinig; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Vern will be remembered for his incredible musical talent, his quick wit and sense of humor, his creative spirit, and the joy he brought to so many through music, teaching, and friendship. His legacy lives on in the many students he inspired, the audiences he entertained, and the family and friends who loved him dearly.

Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 10:30 am on March 17th.

Visitation will be held March 16th at Gering Memorial Chapel from 5-7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the White family at www.geringchapel.com.