John Douglas White passed away peacefully at home November 30th 2020; preceded in death by his beloved wife Virginia “Ginny” Powers, after 30 years of marriage. He was a happy, friendly man who never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. Born December 31, 1922 to Jack and Sue White of Attleboro, Massachusetts.
He and brother, Mel, grew up in the country. Dad told stories of walking to a one room school house with 3 grades and one teacher, fishing and hunting skunks to sell pelts for $2.00, picking berries for 5 cents per row, delivering milk that might freeze on doorsteps, having to prime their frozen water pump, having to hear buckets of water to take baths. He bought his first car for $400.00; gas cost 25 cents for 2 gallons.
He graduated from North Attleboro High School in 1940 and Boston University in 1966. He enlisted in the USAF (United States Air Force) in 1942 and found his life’s passion- flying airplanes. Starting with P 40S, he flew over 30 different planes in his Air Force career. He loved travelling and flying; 21 years in the Air Force and 23 years with American Airlines. He became a true Texan when he bought land and raised Pinzgauer cattle for 10 years. After living in Hurst, Texas, they finally settled down at Cedar Creek Lake in east Texas.
Ginny and John enjoyed traveling, visiting friends all over the country, entertaining, dinner parties, playing bridge, board games, poker, golfing, spoiling kids and grandkids, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, food pantry, hospice, and at their church First Presbyterian Church of Mabank.
Survived by son Scotty White and wife Betty; grandchildren Col. Tara White and husband Jack; Heather Farmer and husband Mike; daughter Patty White; grandchildren Jamie Veselka and husband Danny, Julie Kawamura and husband Tom; as well as 7 great-grandchildren.
Burial will be December 28, 2020 at National Cemetery in Grand Prairie. A memorial service will be scheduled at First Presbyterian Church in Mabank at a later date.
